Terbutaline preventing permeability effects of histamine in the lung.

In unanaesthetized guinea-pigs the effect of terbutaline on histamine-induced increase in lung weight was studied. Terbutaline 0.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg was given subcutaneously 5 min. before exposure during 60 min. to a histamine aerosol. Terbutaline markedly prevented the histamine-induced increase in lung weight. This effect is discussed in relation to the mechanism of action of mediator-induced increase in vascular permeability.