Effect of Fbrmoterol on Superoxide Anion Generation from Bronchoaiveolar Lavage Cells after Antigen Challenge in Guinea Pigs

Abstract
It is well known that antigen challenge of sensitized subjects can induce an immediate and late asthmatic response, airway eosinophilia, and hyperreactivity. Using our modified guinea pig asthma model, we investigated the superoxide anion generation from eosinophils and macrophages recovered from bronchoaiveolar lavage (BAL) 24 h after antigen (ovalbumin) challenge. We also investigated the effect of formoterol, a new long-acting selective β2-agonist, on these functions. Antigen challenge increased the total cell counts and the ratio of eosinophils in BAL. Eosinophils and macrophages were collected using discontinuous density centrifugation. Antigen challenge enhanced superoxide anion generation from eosinophils, from 5.39 ± 1.08 to 13.19 ± 1.95 nmol 60 min after phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (1 ng/ml) activation, and 0.22 ± 0.49 to 3.34 ± 1.67 nmol 40 min after platelet-activating factor (PAF) (10−6 M) activation. Formoterol treatment before antigen challenge prevented these enhancements. Superoxide an...

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