THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE ON LUNG IRRITANT RECEPTORS AND LEFT VENTRICULAR CARDIAC RECEPTORS IN THE ANAESTHETIZED DOG

Abstract

1 The time from the injection of sodium cromoglycate 10 to 50 μg/kg into a saphenous vein, the cervical carotid arteries, the left ventricle and the aortic arch, to the onset of reflex hypotension has been measured in anaesthetized dogs. The shortest latency was 16.9 s on injection of sodium cromoglycate into the left ventricle. 2 Instillation of 2% lignocaine into the pericardium of an anaesthetized dog blocked the reflex hypotensive response to sodium cromoglycate (10 to 50 μg/kg i.v.), and also prevented sodium cromoglycate (100 μg/kg) from reversing reflex bronchoconstriction induced by inhalation of an aerosol of histamine. 3 The effect of sodium cromoglycate (100 μg/kg i.v.) on resting discharge and histamine-induced discharge (20 μ/kg i.v.) of five lung irritant receptors in five anaesthetized dogs has been studied. Sodium cromoglycate (100 μg/kg i.v.) did not affect the resting discharge of these receptors or their ability to respond to histamine. 4 Sodium cromoglycate (100 μg/kg i.v.) increased the rate of discharge of three receptors found in the endocardium of the left ventricle of the canine heart. A solution of sodium cromoglycate (0.1%) was applied topically to one receptor and its rate of discharge was increased. 5 It is suggested that in the dog, sodium cromoglycate produces reflex hypotension and reverses histamine-induced reflex bronchoconstriction by activating receptors in the left ventricle of the heart.