Preliminary pharmacological characterization of the bovine isolated bronchial artery strip: a new preparation.

1 This paper describes a preliminary pharmacological study of the isolated helical strip of bovine bronchial artery under isotonic conditions in Krebs-Henseleit solution. 2 The tissue contracted to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), actions which were selectively antagonized by mepyramine and methysergide respectively. Histamine was not inhibited by metiamide and 5-HT was not affected by morphine. 3 Slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and PGE2 were spasmogenic, whereas PGE1 caused relaxation. No potential antagonists of these agents were tested. 4 Carbachol, at all concentrations, caused contractions of the bronchial artery which were completely, irreversibly blocked by atropine. 5 The spasmogenic action of phenylephrine was selectively blocked by dibenamine. Vessel strips which were partially contracted to histamine, relaxed to isoprenaline and salbutamol. The action of isoprenaline was inhibited similarly by either propranolol or practolol. The evidence therefore suggests the presence of functional alpha, beta 1 and beta 2-adrenoceptors.