Inhaled pinacidil, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, and moguisteine have potent antitussive effects in guinea pigs.

We investigated whether inhaled pinacidil and moguisteine inhibit capsaicin-induced coughs in guinea pigs. Inhaled pinacidil (15 - 60 microg/ml), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, and moguisteine (15 - 60 microg/ml) each dose-dependently inhibited the number of capsaicin-induced coughs. The antitussive effects of pinacidil and moguisteine were significantly antagonized by pretreatment with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker. However, pretreatment with naloxone methiodide (10 mg/kg, s.c.) had no significant effect on the antitussive effects of either pinacidil or moguisteine. On the other hand, inhaled dihydrocodeine (15 - 60 microg/ml) also dose-dependently suppressed the number of capsaicin-induced coughs. The antitussive effect of inhaled dihydrocodeine was significantly antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone methiodide (10 mg/kg, s.c.), but not by glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that inhaled pinacidil and moguisteine both attenuate capsaicin-induced coughs. Pinacidil and moguisteine may exert their antitussive effects through the activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the tracheobronchial tract. Furthermore, it is possible that ATP-sensitive K+ channels may be involved in the antitussive effects of peripherally acting non-narcotic antitussive drugs.