The effect of endothelin (ET)-1 on both cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and membrane current in freshly isolated myocytes, as well as on the contraction of arterial rings, was investigated in rat main pulmonary artery (RMPA) and intrapulmonary arteries (RIPA). ET-1 (5-100 nM, 30 s) induced a first [Ca2+]ipeak followed by 3-5 oscillations of decreasing amplitude. In RMPA, the ET-1-induced...

PURPOSE To investigate how nitric oxide (NO) modulates short-circuit current (Isc) in isolated porcine ciliary processes. METHODS Isc changes (Ussing-type chamber) induced either by the NO donors SNP or SIN-1, or by the cGMP analogue 8-pCPT-cGMP were assessed. The effect of inhibitors of guanylate cyclase (10 microM ODQ, 100 microM LY83583), protein kinase G (30 microM Rp-8-pCPT-cGMP, 3 micro...

Intrapulmonary chemoreceptors (IPC) are highly responsive respiratory chemoreceptors that innervate the lungs of birds and diapsid reptiles. IPC are stimulated by low levels of lung Pco(2), inhibited by high levels of lung Pco(2), and their vagal afferents serve as a sensory limb for reflex adjustments of breathing depth and rate. Most IPC exhibit both phasic and tonic sensitivity to CO(2), and...

BACKGROUND Airway mucociliary clearance (MCC) is an important defense mechanism against pulmonary infections and is compromised in cystic fibrosis (CF). Cl- and HCO3- epithelial transport are integral to MCC. During pulmonary infections prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production is abundant. AIM To determine the effect of PGE2 on airway Cl- and HCO3- secretion and MCC in normal and CF airways. METH...

The article provides an overview of references on the rational use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in modern medicine. Nonsteroidal are a group with different chemical structures (mostly acid derivatives) that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiplatelet (acetylsalicylic acid, acetylsalicylate, ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium, niflumic indomethacin) effects. NSAIDs d...