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Effects of inhaled α2-adrenoceptor and GABAB receptor agonists on citric acid-induced cough and tidal volume changes in guinea pigs

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(92)90747-RGet rights and content

Abstract

The effects of α2-adrenoceptor and GABA receptor agonists on citric acid-induced cough and increased tidal volume were investigated in conscious guinea pigs. Inhalation of low doses of B-HT 920 (5-allyl-2-amino 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo[4.5-d]azepine dihyrochloride), and xylazine significantly inhibited citric acid-induced cough and tidal volume increases. Intraperitoncal administration of higher doses of B-HT 920 than those given by acrosol were ineffective. The inhibitory effects of B-HT 920 were antagonised by prior intraperitoneal administration of yohimbinc, but not atropine. Inhalation of GABA or baclofen inhibited tidal volume increases, but had no effect on cough. Inhaled α2-adrenoceptor or GABA agonists had no effect on the reduced respiratory rate after citric acid inhalation. It is concluded that α2-adrenoceptor agonists inhibit cough via a mechanism which may not be related to their ability to reduce citric acid-induced tidal volume increases, since GABA and baclofen inhibited tidal volume increases but not cough. We suggest that α2-adrenoceptor agonists may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cough.

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