Abstract
The use of muscarinic antagonists, such as atropine, as bronchodilators has captured the interest of investigators studying the regulation of airway smooth muscle. Cyclic anticholinergic compounds that have recently been developed can be delivered by aerosols into the airways, with minimal systemic side effects. Thus, if acctylcholine released from vagal motor nerves innervating airway smooth muscle is an important cause of airway narrowing in disease, substantial bronchodilation may result, possibly with few side effects (i.e., a high "therapeutic ratio"). For these reasons, it is important therapeutically to determine the efficacy and limitations of the use of muscarinic antagonists.Evidence for . . .

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