Reflex tracheal gland secretion evoked by stimulation of bronchial C-fibers in dogs.

We examined the effect of stimulating bronchial C-fibers on tracheal submucosal gland secretion in anesthetized dogs with open chest and lungs ventilated through the lower trachea. We opened the upper trachea in the midline, retracted the cut edges, and sprayed powdered tantalum onto the exposed mucosa. Secretions from the ducts of submucosal glands caused elevations (hillocks) in the tantalum layer, which were viewed through a microscope and recorded on videotape with a television camera. We counted the hillocks (greater than 0.2 mm diam) in an area of mucosa (1.2 cm2) before and after injecting capsaicin (3 micrograms) into a bronchial artery to stimulate bronchial C-fibers. In the minute before capsaicin was injected 7 +/- 2 (mean +/- SE; n = 20) hillocks appeared and in the minute after 40 +/- 2 hillocks. Bradykinin (1.5 micrograms) had similar effects. Secretion was accompanied by contraction of the trachealis muscle. Effects were abolished by cooling (0 degree C) or cutting the vagus nerves. Since capsaicin and bradykinin stimulate bronchial C-fibers selectively when injected in these small doses, we conclude that bronchial C-fibers furnish the afferent arm of an airway secretory reflex.