1 This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and currently prescribed anti-asthma drugs for their ability to inhibit inflammatory cell activation in vitro. 2 Alveolar macrophages and eosinophils were isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of ovalbumin (Ovalb)-sensitized guinea-pigs. Opsonized zymosan (OZ) and PAF stimulated leukotriene B-4 (LTB(4)) release from eosinophils was measured by radioimmunoassay. Ovalb-induced superoxide generation was measured by reduction of cytochrome C. 3 Monocytes were separated from human peripheral venous blood and mast cells were dispersed from human lung fragments. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release from monocytes was measured by ELISA and anti-IgE stimulated histamine release from mast cells was measured by a radioenzymatic method. 4 The beta(2) agonist, salbutamol inhibited TNF-alpha release from monocytes and histamine release from mast cells whilst having no effect on eosinophil-derived LTB(4) release or macrophage superoxide generation. 5 The PDE 3 inhibitor, milrinone produced a concentration-related inhibition of TNF-alpha release from monocytes which achieved statistical significance at 10(-5) M but inhibited LTB(4) release from eosinophils and superoxide generation from macrophages only at the highest concentration (10(-3) M) examined. Milrinone had no effect on histamine release from mast cells. 6 The selective PDE 4 inhibitors, denbufylline and rolipram and the corticosteroid, beclomethasone produced a concentration-related inhibition of LTB(4) release from eosinophils, TNF-alpha release from monocytes and superoxide generation from alveolar macrophages whilst having no effect on histamine release from mast cells. 7 The mixed PDE 3/4 inhibitor, benzafentrine produced a concentration-related inhibition of LTB(4) release from eosinophils, TNF-alpha release from monocytes, superoxide generation from alveolar macrophages and histamine release from mast cells. 8 In conclusion these data clearly show that both established anti-asthma medication as well as PDE inhibitors have the potential to inhibit inflammatory cell activation in vitro but that the anti-secretory actions of beta(2) agonists, corticosteroids and PDE inhibitors are distinct.
