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Biomedical subjects

C C Hardy

Publications and source records attributed to C C Hardy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

The combined effects of two pairs of mediators, adenosine with methacholine and prostaglandin D2 with histamine, on airway calibre in asthma.

Mediators released from mast cells and secondary effector cells in the airways contribute to bronchoconstriction of allergic asthma. This study investigates methods for defining the effect of two inflammatory mediators on airway calibre in asthma. In an initial study on three asthmatic subjects, subconstrictor (subthreshold) concentrations of two mast cell derived mediators, histamine and prostaglandin (PG) D2, produced similar displacement to the left of a histamine concentration-specific airways conductance (sGaw) response curve. With both agonists enhancement of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction was greater at low histamine concentrations. Since potentiation of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction was independent of the class of subconstrictor agent given, it is likely to represent a physiological rather than a pharmacological interaction. During provoked asthma different constrictor mediators are likely to be released simultaneously into the airways. A method was therefore devised to investigate the combined effect of equiconstrictor concentrations of two mediators on airway calibre. Two pairs of inhaled bronchoconstrictor agonists were chosen for study: adenosine with methacholine and PGD2 with histamine. For each agonist, concentration-sGaw response curves were constructed, from which were derived the provocation concentrations of agonist causing a 25% fall in sGaw from baseline (PC25) and required to further this to 50% (PC50-25). On separate days, eight subjects received paired inhalations of methacholine-adenosine, methacholine-methacholine and adenosine-adenosine. The concentration used for the first inhalation was the PC25 value and for the second inhalation the PC50-25 value. Before, immediately after the first inhalation, and at regular intervals after the second inhalation, sGaw was followed for 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗
PubMed1986

Evidence against the formation of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha following inhalation of prostaglandin D2 in man.

There is evidence that an important step in the metabolism of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) involves 11-keto-reduction and that such a conversion might account for the reported increase in plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha in allergic asthmatic subjects challenged with inhaled allergen. Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha were measured by specific radioimmunoassay both before and after inhalation of PGD2 and PGF2 alpha in 7 normal and 7 asthmatic men. In both groups of subjects, PGF2 alpha produced an approximate two fold increase in plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha that was maximal 5-7 min after inhalation. There was no significant difference in response between the normal and asthmatic subjects. In contrast, PGD2 failed to produce a change in plasma 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha concentration in either group. These results provide evidence that the conversion of PGD2 to PGF2 alpha with subsequent metabolism to 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha is unlikely to occur when PGD2 is released from mast cells in the airways.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary synthesis, release, and metabolism of prostaglandins.

Immunologic or calcium-dependent activation of proteolytically dispersed human lung cells containing 5% mast cells causes the release of large amounts of PGD2 and TxB2. In cell purification experiments, only those fractions containing mast cells had the capacity to generate PGD2 and release histamine with IgE-dependent activation. The cells of origin of T X B2 are likely to be cells of the monocyte-macrophage series, although additional eicosanoid release may occur from immunologically activated lymphocytes and eosinophils. In men who have asthma, inhalation of low concentrations of PGD2 results in bronchoconstriction, whereas higher concentrations of PGD2 are needed to produce bronchoconstriction in normal subjects. Subjects with asthma exhibited 3.5-fold greater responsiveness to inhaled PGD2 than to PGF2 alpha. These observations demonstrate that PGD2 is the most potent bronchoconstrictor prostanoid tested in man. In both normal subjects and subjects with asthma, a single inhalation of PGF2 alpha resulted in a doubling in plasma levels of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha. Plasma levels of this metabolite did not change after PGD2 inhalation. These results indicate that the 11-keto reduction of PGD2 to PGF2 alpha with subsequent inactivation is not important in the initial metabolism of PGD2.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1984

The bronchoconstrictor effect of inhaled prostaglandin D2 in normal and asthmatic men.

Although prostaglandin D2 is the most abundant prostanoid generated by human lung mast cells and causes bronchoconstriction in animals, its effects have not been studied in human beings. We have compared the effects of inhaled prostaglandin D2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha on specific airway conductance in seven normal subjects and seven patients with mild allergic asthma. In dose-response studies in normal subjects, prostaglandin D2 caused a significant (20 +/- 6 per cent) fall in specific airway conductance after the two highest concentrations (250 and 500 micrograms per milliliter), whereas prostaglandin F2 alpha had no effect. In the asthmatic subjects, both prostaglandin D2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha caused a dose-related fall in specific airway conductance, starting at the lowest concentration of 4 micrograms per milliliter. Prostaglandin D2 was 3.5 times more potent than prostaglandin F2 alpha. In a single-dose study of both drugs (250 micrograms per milliliter), a minor fall in specific airway conductance occurred with prostaglandin D2 in the normal subjects, and a larger fall occurred with both drugs in the asthmatic subjects. Maximum effects were seen at three minutes: there was a 75 +/- 5 per cent fall with prostaglandin D2 and a 33 +/- 8 per cent fall with prostaglandin F2 alpha. These results suggest that prostaglandin D2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction in allergic asthma.

Adult↗