title: Ketotifen: current views on its mechanism of action and their therapeutic implications.
abstract: The mechanism of action of ketotifen in the prevention of bronchial asthma is discussed, the pathogenesis of the disease itself being taken as a starting point. The following biological effects of ketotifen may be relevant to its therapeutic activity: the inhibition of release of myotonic mediators, leukotrienes in particular, the inhibition of slow reacting substances-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo, calcium antagonistic properties, and the prevention or reversal of decreased beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity. In asthmatic patients the prevention of bronchospasm due to mediator release and a progressive reduction of bronchial hyperreactivity are the major consequences of these properties.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006636:Histamine Release; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D013189:SRS-A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013189:SRS-A; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D007665:Ketotifen