Parasympathetic Innervation of Airways Smooth Muscle

摘要: Nearly a century before the first accurate descriptions of neuronal action potential were published [1, 2] and chemical basis synaptic transmission was firmly established [3, 4] studies carried out in isolated lungs dead animals demonstrated that electrical stimulation vagus nerves elicited “pneumoconstriction”, or what we now recognize contractions bronchial musculature thus constriction airways [5, 6]. Today, more than 150 years since publication these pioneering studies, it is well vagal innervation airways, specifically, parasympa- thetic smooth muscle, primary means by which tone regulated all mammalian species including humans [6–8]. This observation, coupled with belief dysfunction parasympathetic might contribute to various pulmonary disorders [8–13] has led continuous effort determine factors influence input effects this on physiology states both health disease.