title: An explanation of the asthma paradox.
abstract: The morbidity and mortality associated with asthma are rising, despite increased usage of anti-asthma medications. This report attempts to provide a plausible hypothesis for the "asthma paradox." The hypothesis involves the role of mast cell degranulation as an endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanism to prevent antigens from entering the lower airways and to limit the extent of the subsequent repair process. By treating symptoms of asthma with drugs such as beta 2 agonists that inhibit mast cell degranulation, increased inflammation is allowed to occur, which may lead to the chronic appearance of excess repair tissue and the acceleration of the disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, King's College, University of London, England.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists