title: Airway smooth muscle, asthma, and calcium ions.
abstract: The intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ ions regulates many functions of cells including secretion, contraction, transport processes, and motility, among others. All of the pathogenetic processes in asthmatic airways are Ca2+-dependent phenomena: excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle, stimulus-secretion coupling in mast cells and mucous glands, nerve impulse initiation and conduction, and the development of inflammatory infiltration. Ca2+ entry blockers such as nifedipine and verapamil may affect exercise-induced asthma, airway tone, mast cell mediator release, and experimental anaphylaxis. Calmodulin-active drugs can inhibit smooth muscle contraction and mediator release. A new generation of Ca2+ antagonists may find a role in the management of asthma.
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012898:Autacoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism; D002936:Cinnarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012898:Autacoids; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002147:Calmodulin; D007473:Ion Channels; D002936:Cinnarizine; D013806:Theophylline; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D002118:Calcium; D004837:Epinephrine