[Metabolic and pharmacologic interactions on the bronchial tonus]

Abstract

After reminding data concerning the part played by the as a rule antagonist cAMP system in moticity of the smooth muscle fibers in general and of the bronchial fibers in particular, the authors study the different types of interaction on bronchial muscular fibers which have been discribed. It is concerning the adrenergic fibers that the experimental and clinical data are prevalent (role of bronchial alpha- and beta2- receptors) and the authors point especially to their own studies performed since 1964 concerning the alpha1- -bronchoconstrictive component and progressive auto-inhibition of the bronchial beta2- receptors. But autacoids (serotonin, bradykinin, histamine and prostaglandines) and with the stimulating or inhibiting agents of the beta2 -receptors also begin to be recognized.