RECOVERY-TIME COURSE OF AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS TO ACETYLCHOLINE AFTER OVALBUMIN CHALLENGE IN GUINEA-PIGS

Sequential changes in airway and adrenergic responsiveness after ovalbumin (OA) challenge were studied in guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness, alpha1-and beta-adrenoceptor numbers and adenylate cyclase activity was determined after increasing doses of acetylcholine aerosol were administered before, 0, 3, 7, and 14 days after exposure to 2 percent OA or physiologic saline solution for 10 consecutive days. The antiasthmatic agent, azelastine (1 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal), was administered for 14 days after the tenth exposure to OA in some animals. Airway responsiveness increased significantly after OA exposure, beta-adrenoceptor numbers decreased by 35 percent, and adenylate cyclase activity decreased by 54 percent (p < 0.01). Values remained significantly different than control animals for 7 days and required 14 days to normalize completely. Azelastine decreased the recovery period to seven days. Azelatine may affect airway responsiveness, at least in part, by increasing beta-adrenergic responsiveness.