“…A corollary question, “what are the effects of raised osmolarity of the ASL on airway function?,” has not been addressed and, therefore, has been investigated in our laboratory. In the guinea-pig isolated, perfused trachea (IPT) preparation, hyperosmolar challenge of the epithelium induces relaxation of the airway smooth muscle (Munakata et al, 1988; Fedan et al, 1999, 2004a,b; Johnston et al, 2004; Wu et al, 2004; Jing et al, 2008a) that is inhibited by the Na + channel blocker, amiloride, and the Cl − channel blockers, 4, 4′-diisothiocyano-2, 2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB). Ionic and non-ionic, permeant and impermeant osmolytes have similar relaxant potencies (~9–25 mOsM).…”