Pulmonary surfactant has a relaxing effect on the airway smooth muscle (ASM), which suggests its role in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases associated with hyperreactivity of the ASM, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The ASM tone may be directly or indirectly modified by bacterial wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study elucidated the effect of LPS on the ASM reactivity and the role of surfactant in this interaction. The experiments were performed using ASM of adult guinea pigs by in vitro method of tissue organ bath (ASM unexposed-healthy or exposed to LPS under in vitro conditions) and ASM of animals intraperitoneally injected with LPS at a dose 1 mg/kg of b.w. once a day during 4-day period. Variable response of LPS was controlled by cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and relaxing effect of exogenous surfactant was studied using leukotriene and histamine receptor antagonists. The exogenous surfactant has relaxing effect on the ASM, but does not reverse LPS-induced smooth muscle contraction. The results further indicate participation of prostanoids and potential involvement of leukotriene and histamine H1 receptors in the airway smooth muscle contraction during LPS exposure.
