Helospectin, induces a potent relaxation of human airways in vitro

Helospectin is a neuropeptide of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/secr etin/glucagon family. Several members of this family display biological act ivities relevant to obstructive airway disease and although the literature in this area is rapidly expanding very little is known about the effects of helospectin. The smooth muscle relaxation induced by helospectin on human bronchi and pulmonary arteries were therefore assessed in vitro, using tiss ue baths. Helospectin induced a potent relaxation of human bronchi and sinc e helospectin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers along with possible target r eceptors previously have been reported in the human lung, helospectin might play a role in endogenous regulation of airway tone. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Inc. All rights reserved.