[Classification of asthma according to etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment: effects of antiallergic drugs].
Selective inhibitors of mediators are among recently developed antiallegic drugs. Studies of the effects of these inhibitors on different types of asthmatic reactions can clarify the heterogeneity of asthma. Heterogeneity may be found both among patients and among types of asthmatic reactions. Although the differences among patients with regard to mediators of spontaneous asthma attacks is still unclear, the differences among asthmatic reactions induced by some well-defined stimuli are known. For example, leukotrienes are dominant in asthmatic reactions induced by analgesics, and histamine is dominant in bronchoconstriction induced by alcohol. Types of asthma may be classified according to the main contributing mediator.
Fujimura
M
M
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan.
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013928:Thromboxane A2