title: Effects of epinephrine on lung liquid production by in vitro lungs from fetal guinea pigs.
abstract: Lungs from near-term fetal guinea pigs (62 +/- 2 days of gestation) were supported in vitro for 3 h; lung liquid production was monitored by a dye dilution method. Studies based on 42 preparations investigated effects of epinephrine at different concentrations. Untreated preparations produced lung liquid with no significant change (ANOVA; regression analysis; rates in successive hours 1.37 +/- 0.30; 1.36 +/- 0.30, and 1.28 +/- 0.27 mL.kg-1 body weight.h-1); those given epinephrine at 10(-9), 10(-8), 5 x 10(-8), and 10(-7) M showed significant reductions in production or fluid reabsorption, and there was a linear relationship (r = 0.99) between log concentration and the percent reductions. Above these levels, responses decreased, and at 10(-5) M epinephrine there was no response. There was no evidence for activation of beta-adrenoreceptors; responses to 10(-8) M epinephrine were resistant to propranolol (based on 24 studies), and the specific beta-agonist isoproterenol was without effect (based on 18 studies). However, the alpha-antagonist phentolamine completely eliminated responses to epinephrine at physiological levels (10(-8) M epinephrine; based on 24 studies) and also at levels that gave maximal responses (10(-7) M epinephrine; based on 24 studies). It is concluded that epinephrine is able to promote lung fluid reabsorption at concentrations reported at birth, but that, in contrast with beta-activation in sheep, responses in the guinea pig are mediated through alpha-adrenoreceptors. Clearly, species differences exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doe
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Perks
mesh_terms: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*; D008297:Male; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D004837:Epinephrine; D010646:Phentolamine