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Sulphur-dioxide induced bronchial hyperreactivity against acetylcholine

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Summary

The effect of sulphur-dioxide (SO2) on the bronchial reactivity against acetylcholine (ACH) is carried out on 25 dogs. The dogs were exposed initially to acetylcholine aerosol, then to SO2 for 1 hr and again to ACH. 3 such cycles were repeated. The concentration of SO2 used were 1, 2, 5 and 10 ppm and the controls were given room air in place of SO2.

The parameters studied were intrathoracic pressure as the indicator of bronchoconstriction, blood oxygen and carbon-dioxide, tidal volume, respiratory rates and arterial blood pressure. All the SO2 exposed animals have shown a significant increase of bronchial sensitivity than those of the controls. Maximum sensitization was induced by 2 ppm. The reaction provoked by 1 and 5 ppm were almost of the same order and little smaller than 2 ppm but greater than those produced by 10 ppm. The peak reactions against ACH observed for 1, 2 and 5 ppm were 3, 2 and 1 hr of exposure, respectively. After attaining the peak points, the reactions declined in all the 3 groups. But no such trend was obtained for those animals exposed to 10 ppm of SO2.

The role of small concentration of SO2 as bronchial sensitizing agent against ACH is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Lungenfunktionsforschung Bochum in Verbindung mit der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Deutschland

    M. S. Islam, E. Vastag &  W. T. Ulmer

  2. Silikose-Forschungsinstitut der Bergbau-Berufsgenossenschaft, Hunscheidtstra\e 12, D-4630, Bochum, Germany

    W. T. Ulmer

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  1. M. S. Islam
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  2. E. Vastag
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  3. W. T. Ulmer
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Diese Forschung wurde mit Unterstützung des Vereins zur Untersuchung von Einwirkungen der Luftverschmutzung auf die Volksgesundheit e.V. durchgeführt.

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Islam, M.S., Vastag, E. & Ulmer, W.T. Sulphur-dioxide induced bronchial hyperreactivity against acetylcholine. Int. Arch. Arbeitsmed 29, 221–232 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539250

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539250

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