Effect of a Ca2+ antagonist, nifedipine, on the experimental asthma mediated mainly by slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis.

In the asthmatic model mainly mediated by the endogenous slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) induced by the antigen inhalation to passively sensitized guinea pigs, continuous intravenous infusion of nifedipine (Adalat) at a speed of 7 micrograms/kg/min depressed the airway open pressure by about 68% compared to the saline-treated group and produced a delay in the time to peak response. Moreover, nifedipine inhibited the response of the peripheral airway more strongly than that of the central airway. The same concentration of nifedipine inhibited the airway open pressure by about 43% compared to the saline-treated group in the asthmatic model induced by the inhalation of leukotriene C4. The effect of nifedipine on the central airway was shorter in duration than that on the peripheral airway. The inhibitory effect of nifedipine on the airway response was greater in the asthmatic model mediated mainly by the endogenous SRS-A induced by the antigen inhalation than in the asthmatic model produced by the inhalation of leukotriene C4.