[Effects of magnesium sulfate aerosol on indices of external respiration in patients with bronchial asthma].

Plethysmography and pneumotachography were applied to measure bronchial permeability, and reactivity of the bronchi in 10 patients with pre-asthma and 17 with asthma upon administration of magnesium sulfate aerosol (solution osmolality 260 mmol/l, pH-6.6). Though the drug inhalation did not induce bronchial dilatation, it diminished both hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity of the bronchial tree to acetylcholine. These properties of magnesium sulfate in the absence of unwanted sequelae when introduced endobronchially allow its advocating in combined treatment of asthma and pre-asthma.