Respiratory responses to leukotrienes and biogenic amines in normal and hyperreactive rats.

The effects of leukotriene D4, serotonin, and methacholine were studied on respiratory smooth muscle in vitro and respiratory responses in vivo in three strains of rats. These were an inbred strain of hyperresponsive rats, Sprague Dawley rats, and Fischer rats. Trachea from inbred rats responded in vitro to serotonin and methacholine but not to leukotrienes or histamine. Parenchyma from inbred rats responded to serotonin, methacholine, and leukotrienes. In vivo respiratory responses in inbred rats were observed after aerosol administration of histamine and serotonin, methacholine, and leukotriene D4. When these in vitro and in vivo experiments were repeated in Sprague Dawley and Fischer rats, a clear correlation was observed between the responses of strains of rats to aerosolized antigen and responses to spasmogenic mediators. It is concluded that inbred rats have a nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity that contributes to their sensitivity to aerosolized antigen and that they may be a useful model for human asthmatic conditions.