Modulation of allergic and immune complex-induced lung inflammation by bradykinin receptor antagonists

Objective: The effect of bradykinin (13, or B,) receptor antagonists was studied in allergic and immune-complex-induced lung inflammation. Methods: Lungs of BALB/c mice were examined 24 It after induction of lung inflammation, either allergic (ovalbumin-sensitized submitted to two aerosol of antigen, one week apart) or immune-complex induced (intratracheal instillation of IgG antibodies followed by intravenous antigen). The bradykinin 13, receptor antagonist, HOE-140 or bradykinin B, receptor antagonist, R-954 were given intraperitoneally (100 mug/kg), 30 min before induction. Results: In allergic inflammation, pre-treatment with R-954 reduced eosinophil infiltration into the lungs, mucus secretion and the airway hyperreactivity to methacholine. Pretreatment with HOE-140 increased eosinophil infiltration but did not affect the other parameters. In immune-complex inflammation, HOE-140 increased neutrophil infiltration but not their activation nor the hemorrhagic lesions. R-594. pretreatment did not change the parameters examined. Conclusion: These results show important modulatory effects of bradykinin 13, and B, receptor antagonists in both models of lung inflammation.