Baseline fibre activities (FA) were determined at 10 min before, and 2, 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after i.t. instillation of a low dose of PLL (25 μg in 0.1 ml, ; n = 8), a high dose of PLL (50 μg in 0.1 ml, ▪; n = 16) and vehicle control (□; n = 6). FA at each time point was averaged over a 20 s interval for each fibre. Only one dose of PLL or vehicle was administered in each animal. Data are means ±s.e.m. *P < 0.05, significant difference between vehicle and 25 or 50 μg of PLL at any time point; §P < 0.05, significant difference between 25 and 50 μg of PLL at any time point; †P < 0.05, significant difference between before and any time point after instillation.