Pharmacology of airway inflammation in asthma.
Chronic desquamative eosinophilic bronchitis is a characteristic pathologic feature of asthma which may even antedate the onset of symptoms. The pharmacology of asthmatic inflammation has been relatively poorly studied and most of the current data available have been inferred indirectly from studies of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and late-phase responses. Apart from mast cells, the effects of drugs used in the treatment of asthma on other airway inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, alveolar macrophages, etc. have not been extensively studied. The pharmacology of asthmatic inflammation should comprise the study of various aspects of this inflammatory response such as airway microvascular leakage, mediator release, and cell chemotaxis. Ultimately the pharmacologic modulation of the pathologic features of the asthmatic airway by the chronic use of antiasthma drugs, coupled with clinical responses, need to be investigated using bronchial biopsies and broncholveolar lavage in asthmatic patients.
Chung
K F
KF
Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D017835:Nedocromil; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D015363:Quinolones; D017835:Nedocromil; D013806:Theophylline; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium