AN INCREASE IN SUPEROXIDE GENERATION OF BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUIDSIN THE MODEL OF LATE ASTHMATIC RESPONSE IN GUINEA-PIGS

To clarify the possible role of superoxide anion of bronchoalveolar ce lls in the pathogenesis of late asthmatic response (LAR), I performed an allergen inhalation test using a guinea pig LAR model and estimated subsequent changes in activities of superoxide generation in bronchoa lveolar lavage fluids (BALFs). Significant increases in superoxide gen eration of BALFs occurred not only immediately, but 6 hr after ovalbum in inhalation challenge in the LAR model, and the increased levels wer e prolonged 24 hr later. The present results suggest that significant increases in superoxide anion of the respiratory cells were involved i n the antigen-induced late responsiveness of bronchial asthma.