Background: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been shown to be a chemotactic factor for neutrophils, T-lymphocytes and eosinophils. Repeated intranasal administration of IL-8 enhances bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine in guinea-pigs. Neuropeptides which are released from C-fibre nerve-endings have been postulated to induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness through neurogenic inflammation.
Objective: This study was conducted to examine whether sensory neuropeptides are involved in the IL-8-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Methods: IL-8 at a dose of 5 micrograms/kg was administered intranasally to guinea-pigs twice a week for 3 weeks. One day after the last administration, animals were anesthetized and artificially ventilated through tracheal cannula, and lateral pressure at the tracheal cannula (Pao) was measured as an overall index of airway responses to increasing concentrations of inhaled histamine (25, 50, 100, and 200 micrograms/mL). A NK1 and NK2 dual antagonist FK224 (10 mg/kg), a selective NK1 antagonist FK888 (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was intravenously administered 10 min before measurement of bronchial responsiveness.
Results: The IL-8 treatment significantly enhanced bronchial responsiveness to histamine (ANOVA P < 0.01). FK224 or FK888 did not alter the IL-8-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Conclusion: We conclude that repeated intranasal administration of IL-8 causes bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and that neuropeptides such as neurokinin A and substance P do not directly contribute to the development of BHR induced by IL-8.