title: Vagal reflexes and asthma.
abstract: Although vagal reflexes are well documented in animal models of airway hyperresponsiveness, their importance in asthmatic attacks in man is less documented. Indeed most of the stimuli that can trigger bronchoconstriction act only partially through a cholinergic reflex. However, inflammatory mediators released in airways during asthma attacks may stimulate different sites of cholinergic pathways, i.e. in the sensory receptors, afferent, efferent, ganglionic or postganglionic sites. Further studies are required to assess the real influence of chemical mediators on vagal activity in asthmatic subjects during spontaneous or induced bronchoconstriction.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Medical Clinic, Respiratory Pathophysiology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Paggiaro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pulerà
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Dente
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Talini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giuntini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics