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Airways Smooth Muscle: Neurotransmitters, Amines, Lipid Mediators and Signal Transduction pp 309–324Cite as

GABA and Benzodiazepines

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Part of the book series: Respiratory Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy ((RPP))

Abstract

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is considered one of the most important inhibitory transmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). It is assumed that there are at least two types of GABA receptors: GABAA and GABAB. At the level of the CNS, stimulation of the GABAA receptors decreases parasympathic airway constrictor tone while stimulation of GABAB receptors may exert an inhibitory effect on cough. However, most of the GABA effect on lung functions appear mediated through activation of lung GABAB receptors. Stimulation of these peripheral receptors results in the inhibition of the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic nerves as well as of the release of neuropeptides from the C-fibres of the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) systems. These effects suggest that GABAB receptor agonists may usefully inhibit bronchoconstriction, microvascular leakage, mucous secretion and inflammatory effects mediated by these neuromediators of the autonomie nervous system. In addition, GABA inhibits the release of anaphylactic mediators. This latter effect requires the integrity of the epithelium and is blocked by inhibition of the cyclooxygenase. Activation of lung GABAB receptors may also account for the antitussive effect of GABA.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, BP 217, Grenoble, France

    Philippe Devillier & Germain Bessard

  2. Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ouest, Paris, France

    Charles Advenier

Authors
  1. Philippe Devillier
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  2. Germain Bessard
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  3. Charles Advenier
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Discovery Biology, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Ltd Dagenham Research Centre, Dagenham Essex, RM10 7XS, England

    David Raeburn (Department Head) (Department Head)

  2. Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LY, England

    Mark A. Giembycz (Lecturer) (Lecturer)

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© 1995 Birkhäuser Verlag Basel/Switzerland

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Devillier, P., Bessard, G., Advenier, C. (1995). GABA and Benzodiazepines. In: Raeburn, D., Giembycz, M.A. (eds) Airways Smooth Muscle: Neurotransmitters, Amines, Lipid Mediators and Signal Transduction. Respiratory Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7504-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7504-2_9

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-7506-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-7504-2

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