Sodium cromoglycate, verapamil and nicardipine antagonism to leukotriene D4 bronchoconstriction.

1--The effects of nicardipine, verapamil and sodium cromoglycate (SCG) on the increase in pulmonary airway resistance(RAw) and decrease in pulmonary dynamic compliance (CDyn) induced by leukotriene D4 (LTD4) 0.5 micrograms kg-1 and acetylcholine (ACh) 3 micrograms kg-1 were investigated in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. The effects of these three agents on the contractile effects of LTD4 and ACh were tested on isolated tracheal preparations of the guinea-pig. 2--Nicardipine and verapamil (0.3 and 1 mg kg-1), as well as SCG (3 and 10 mg kg-1), partially but significantly inhibited the effects of LTD4 on RAw. Partial inhibition of the effect of LTD4 on CDyn was only observed with verapamil (0.3 and 1 mg kg-1). Nicardipine and verapamil had no effect on ACh-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo. 3--In concentrations higher than 10(-5) M, nicardipine and verapamil inhibited the contractile effects of LTD4 and ACh on guinea-pig isolated trachea. SCG had no effect on this preparation. 4--These results suggest that nicardipine, verapamil and SCG partially reduce the component of bronchoconstriction associated with stimulation of irritant receptors by LTD4. However, the site and mechanism of action of Ca2+-entry antagonists remain uncertain.