Abstract

The effects of prednisolone, salbutamol or theophylline treatment were studied in guinea pigs on bronchial hyperreactivity induced by chronic administration of PAF, (subsequently measuring respiratory flow after an intravenous injection of histamine) and the chemokinesis of leucocytes in vitro. Prednisolone (10 mg/kg p.o.) was active in the bronchial hyperreactivity test, as was salbutamol, but its effect appeared to be more related to its bronchodilator activity per se, while theophylline had little activity in this test. Regarding leucocyte chemokinetic activity, prednisolone and theophylline inhibited this at nM and microM concentrations respectively, whereas salbutamol was weakly active in this test.