The effects of cyclic AMP- related compounds and beta adrenoceptor agonists on the basal and lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)- stimulated release of endothelin- 1 ( ET- 1) from guinea- pig tracheal epithelial cells ( GPTEpCs) in culture were studied. Forskolin ( a potent activator of adenylyl cyclase), 8-bromo- cyclic AMP ( a cyclic AMP analogue), salbutamol and salmeterol ( two beta 2- adrenoceptor agonists), were used to increase cyclic AMP levels. Cultured GPTEpCs released ET- 1 continuously over a 24 h incubation period. The values reached 1,938 +/- 122 pg/ mg of total cell proteins after 24 h. LPS ( 10 mu g/ ml) significantly stimulated the release of ET- 1 by 1.6- to 1.8- fold, up to 1,262 T 56 pg/ mg total cell proteins after an 8 h incubation period. Compound 8- bromo- cyclic AMP ( 10(-5), 10(-4) and 10(-3) M) reduced the basal release of ET- 1 from GPTEpCs by up to 31% ( P< 0.01) and the LPS stimulated release by up to 42% ( P< 0.05), after an 8 h incubation period. Forskolin ( 10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) also inhibited the basal release of ET- 1 by up to 28% ( P< 0.05) and LPS- stimulated release of ET- 1 by up to 50% ( P< 0.05), after an 8 h incubation period. At the concentration of 10(-5) M, forskolin increased cyclic AMP levels in GPTEpCs by 17- fold ( P< 0.001) in the medium, 15 min after the beginning of the incubation. Salbutamol ( 10(-8) to 10(-6) M) had no effect on the basal production and release of ET- 1 after 8 h. Conversely, this short acting beta 2- adrenoceptor agonist significantly reduced LPS- mediated increase of ET- 1 production by up to 55% ( P< 0.05) after an 8 h incubation period. Salmeterol ( 10(-9) M to 10(-5) M) inhibited basal and LPS- stimulated production and release of ET- 1 after an 8 h incubation period ( between 44 and 51%, P< 0.01). Both salbutamol and salmeterol ( 10(-6) M) increase cyclic AMP levels by five- and twofold, respectively ( P< 0.05). In summary, these observations indicate that beta 2- adrenoceptor agonists or cyclic AMP enhancers can modulate both basal and more markedly, the enhanced production of ET- 1 from LPS- activated guinea pig airway EpCs. In addition, these compounds increase cyclic AMP levels in the cells. It is suggested that there is a correlation between cyclic AMP increase and inhibition of ET- 1 release by guinea pig airway EpCs. Since ET- 1 production was shown to be elevated in asthmatic subjects and in patients suffering from other inflammatory lung disorders, the inhibition of its production by beta adrenoceptor agonists, such as salbutamol and salmeterol, could be added to their therapeutical benefits.
