Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of atropine on anaphylactic shock in the guinea-pig

  • Histamine and Kinins
  • Histamine and Immunology
  • Published:
Agents and Actions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of atropine, 2 mg/kg i.v., on anaphylactic shock were studied in guinea-pigs sensitized to ovalbumin.

Atropine only moderately reduced (−31%) the increase in pulmonary resistance observed and slightly prolonged (+26%) the survival time in pretreated animals compared with controls. These effects, however, were not statistically significant. The drug temporarily improved ventilation but had no influence on haematosis.

On the other hand, atropine significantly reduced the amount of histamine released (−60%) and of GMPc synthetized in the lung (−21%). The levels of AMPc and prostaglandins E1, E2 and F2α remained comparable to those of control animals.

These results suggest that the reflex-induced action of the cholinergic system during anaphylaxis primarily affects large-calibre airways and that the role of acetylcholine in severe reactions is moderate when compared with the direct action of other mediators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H.O.J. Collier andG.W.L. James,Humoral factors affecting pulmonary inflation during acute anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig in-vivo, Br. J. Pharmac.30, 293–301 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  2. J.M. Drazen andK.F. Austen,Pulmonary response to antigen infusion in the sensitized guinea-pig: modification by atropine, J. Appl. Physiol.39, 916–919 (1975).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. J. Mills andJ.G. Widdicombe,Role of the vagus nerves in anaphylaxis and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pig, Br. J. Pharmac.39, 724–731 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  4. D.Y.C. Yu, S.P. Galant andW.M. Gold,Inhibition of antigen induced bronchoconstriction by atropine in asthmatic patients, J. Appl. Physiol.32, 823–828 (1972).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. R.R. Rosenthal, P.S. Norman, W.R. Summer andS. Permutt,The role of the parasympathetic system in antigen induced bronchospasm, J. Appl. Physiol.42, 600–606 (1977).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. J.E. Fish, R.R. Rosenthal, W.R. Summer, M. Menkes, P.S. Norman andS. Permutt,The effect of atropine on acute antigen mediated airway constriction on subjects with allergic asthma, Am. Rev. Resp. Dis.115, 371–379 (1977).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. J. Orehek, P. Gayrard, C. Grimaud andJ. Charpin,Bronchoconstriction provoquée par inhalation d'allergène dans l'asthme: effet antagoniste d'un anticholinergique de synthèse, Bull. Physio-Pathol. Resp.11, 193–201 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  8. C. Advenier, B. Mallard, M.C. Santais andF. Ruff,The effects of metiamide and H 1-receptor blocking agents on anaphylatic response in the guinea-pig, Agents and Actions9, 467–473 (1979).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. C. Advenier, J.R. Boissier, S. Ho, B. Mallard, andF. Ruff,The influence of pentobarbital and urethane anaesthesia on bronchomotricity in the guinea-pig, Br. J. Pharmac.64, 519–525 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  10. M.O. Amdur andJ. Mead,Mechanics of respiration in unanaesthetized guinea-pigs, Am. J. Physiol.129, 364–368 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  11. P.A. Shore, A. Burkhalter andV.M. Cohn,A method for the fluorometric assay of histamine in tissues, J. Pharmac. Exp. Ther.127, 182–186 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  12. F. Ruff, A. Saindelle, E. Dutripon andJ.L. Parrot,Continuous automatic fluorometric evaluation of total blood histamine, Nature (Lond.)214, 279–281 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  13. F. Ruff, M.C. Santais, C. Foussard andJ.L. Parrot,Improvement of the automatized fluorometric technique of histamine measurement, Agents and Actions7, 122–123 (1977).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. A.L. Steiner, R.E. Wehmann, C.W. Parker andD.M. Kipnis, Radioimmunoassay for the measurement of cyclic nucleotides. InAdvances in Cyclic Nucleotide Research, pp. 51–61. Raven Press, New York 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  15. F. Dray andB. Charbonnel, Dosage radio-immunologique des prostaglandines Fα et E1 dans le plasma périphérique de l'homme normal. InProstaglandines, pp. 193–197. INSERM Ed., Paris 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  16. J.A. Nadel,Structure relationships in the airways: bronchoconstriction mediated via vagus nerves on bronchial arterial peripheral lung constriction mediated via pulmonary arteries, Med. Thorac.22, 231–242 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. W. Karcewsky andJ.G. Widdicombe,The role of vagus nerves in the respiratory and circulatory responses to intravenous histamine and phenylguanide in rabbits, J. Physiol. (Lond.)201, 271–291 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  18. J.M. Drazen andK.F. Austen,Atropine modification of the pulmonary effects of chemical mediators in the guinea-pig, J. Appl. Physiol.38, 834–838 (1975).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. R.H. Ingram, J.J. Wellman, E.R. McFadden andJ. Mead,Relative contributions of large and small airways to flow limitation in normal subjects before and after atropine and isoproterenol, J. Clin. Invest.59, 696–703 (1977).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. R.H. Ingram andE.R. McFadden,Localization and mechanisms of airway responses, N. Engl. J. Med.297, 596–600 (1977).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. M.J. Hensley, C.F. O'Cain, E.R. McFadden andR.H. Ingram,Distribution of bronchodilatation in normal subjects: beta-agonist versus atropine, J. Appl. Physiol.45, 778–782 (1978).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. D.T. Okpako,The effect of graded doses of antigen on bronchoconstrictor and mediator-release responses in the anaphylaxis of the isolated perfused guinea-pig lung, Int. Arch. Allergy40, 620–630 (1971).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. P.D. Joiner, M. Wall, L.B. Davis andF. Hahn,Role of amines in anaphylactic contraction of guinea-pig isolated smooth muscle, J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.53, 261–270 (1974).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. J.M. Drazen andK.F. Austen,Effects of intravenous administration of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, histamine, bradykinin and prostaglandin F 2α on pulmonary mechanics in the guinea-pig, J. Clin. Invest.53, 1679–1685 (1974).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. R. Fantozzi, E. Masini, P. Blandina, P.F. Mannaioni andT. Bani-Sacchi,Release of histamine from rat mast cells by acetylcholine, Nature273, 473–474 (1978).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. R. Fantozzi, F. Moroni, E. Masini, P. Blandina andP.F. Mannaioni,Modulation of the spontaneous histamine release by adrenergic and cholinergic drugs, Agents and Actions8, 347–358 (1978).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. J.L. Parrot, F. Dray, G. Allouche, M.C. Santais, C. Foussard, F. Dubois andF. Ruff,Etude de la synthèse des prostaglandines au cours du choc anaphylactique chez le Cobaye, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris282, série D, 1289–1292 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ouest, Institut biomédical des Cordeliers, 15, rue de l'Ecole de Medicine, 75270, Paris Cedex 06, France

    C. Advenier, B. Mallard, M. -C. Santais & F. Ruff

  2. Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté Necker et Laboratoire de Physiopathologie respiratoire, UER Biomédicale des Sts-Pères, 45, rue des Saints-Pères, 75270, Paris Cedex 06, France

    C. Advenier, B. Mallard, M. -C. Santais & F. Ruff

Authors
  1. C. Advenier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. Mallard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. -C. Santais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Ruff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Advenier, C., Mallard, B., Santais, M.C. et al. The effects of atropine on anaphylactic shock in the guinea-pig. Agents and Actions 12, 103–107 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965117

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965117

Keywords

Search

Navigation