Eicosanoid release in allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in dogs. Its relationship to airways hyperreactivity and pulmonary inflammation.

In vitro studies have demonstrated the release of histamine, PGD2, TXB2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and the peptidoleukotrienes from sensitized lung. We have assessed the release of these mediators following antigen challenge in vivo. Antigen challenge of allergic dogs resulted in an acute bronchoconstriction and an increase in bronchial reactivity to histamine and an increase in neutrophil and eosinophil numbers recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 2 and 24 h later. The acute response was associated with histamine and PGD2 release but there was no increase in the levels of other eicosanoids in recovered BAL. Bronchial hyperreactivity and pulmonary inflammation, 2 and 24 h post-challenge was not associated with a concommitant (antigen specific) increase in BAL fluid eicosanoid levels. We conclude that although PGD2 is released during the acute response to antigen the subsequent changes (hyperreactivity and inflammation) are not characterised by a maintained elevation in eicosanoid levels detectable by BAL.