Effects of inflammatory mediators on canine airway neuromuscular function

Inflammatory mediators can both enhance or inhibit canine airway reactivity. PGE2 and PGI2 in general are inhibitory, interfering with release of acetylcholine and with responses to bronchoconstrictors. These prostaglandins may be more effective against agonists that open voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to induce Ca2+ influx and contraction compared with those agonists that release internal Ca2+. Other mediators are excitatory: histamine, PGD2, …