The role of capsaicin-sensitive C-fibre afferent nerves in the cough reflex.
While airway rapidly adapting receptors can mediate the cough reflex, much evidence suggests that bronchial C-fibre receptors are also involved in guinea-pigs and man. In man local and systemic C-fibre stimulants have a potent tussive action, which is blocked by low doses of local anaesthetics which leave the reflex bronchoconstriction intact. In guinea-pigs destruction of airway C-fibre receptors by large doses of capsaicin abolishes the cough reflex due to capsaicin and citric acid. Thus there may be subpopulations of airway C-fibres responsible for the different reflexes such as apnoea, cough and bronchoconstriction. The evidence for the role of C-fibre receptors in cough is described and discussed.
Karlsson
J A
JA
Dagenham Research Centre, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Central Research, Dagenham, Essex, UK.
D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000294:innervation*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000378:metabolism
D015320:Tachykinins; D002211:Capsaicin