An explanation of the asthma paradox.
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.
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Department of Pharmacology, King's College, University of London, England.
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
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists