Red wine polyphenolic compounds inhibit tracheal smooth muscle contraction during allergen-induced hyperreactivity of the airways

Abstract

Abstract The aims of the study were to investigate the short and long-term effects of Provinol (red wine polyphenolic compounds) on tracheal smooth muscle reactivity using an in-vitro model of ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in guinea-pig trachea, and to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the bronchodilatory effect of Provinol. The amplitude of tracheal smooth muscle contraction in response to mediators of bronchoconstriction —histamine (10 nM-1 mM), acetylcholine (10 nM-1 mM) and to allergen (ovalbumin 10−5-10−3 g mL−1) was used as a parameter of tracheal smooth muscle reactivity. To test the short-term effects of Provinol, isolated tracheal strips were pre-treated for 30 min with Provinol (10−4mg mL−1) alone or in combination with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10−6mol L−1). To test the long-term effects of Provinol, isolated tracheal strips were prepared from guinea pigs that had been treated for 14 days with Provinol (20mg kg−1 per day) alone or in combination with L-NAME (40 mg kg−1 per day). Incubation of tracheal smooth muscle with Provinol decreased the amplitude of contraction in response to ovalbumin, histamine and acetylcholine. The non-selective NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME partially abolished the effect of Provinol on acetylcholine and ovalbumin-induced but not histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. A similar profile was observed after 14 days' oral administration of Provinol. In conclusion, Provinol inhibited the allergen- and spasmogen-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs via a mechanism that was mediated at least partially through the metabolism of NO.