Comparison of in vivo airway responsiveness and in vitro smooth muscle sensitivity to methacholine in man.

Airway responsiveness to methacholine varies between normal people and is increased in patients with asthma. The importance of airway smooth muscle sensitivity in determining in vivo responsiveness is unknown. We have examined this question by comparing in vivo airway responsiveness with in vitro airway smooth muscle sensitivity to methacholine in 10 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. In vivo responsiveness was determined by administration of inhalations of doubling concentrations of methacholine. Results were expressed as the provocation concentration (PC) causing a decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second of 20% (PC20FEV1), specific airway conductance of 35% (PC35SGaw), and maximal expiratory flow at 35% vital capacity, measured for the partial (V35(p)) and complete (V35(c)) flow volume curves, of 35% (PC35V35(p); PC35V35(c)). In vitro airway smooth muscle sensitivity was determined from specimens obtained at thoracotomy. Log dose-response curves to methacholine were constructed and the concentration causing a 50% maximum contraction (EC50) was derived. There were differences between patients for both in vivo airway responsiveness and in vitro smooth muscle sensitivity to methacholine. There were no significant relationships between the in vivo and in vitro measurements. The results suggest that factors other than solely the sensitivity of smooth muscle must determine in vivo airway responsiveness to methacholine.