[Potential importance of antileukotrienes in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases: apropos of a new pharmacological class].
OBJECTIVE
Among the mediators involved in the asthma bronchoconstriction and inflammation mechanisms, there is now substantial evidence that the sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (LTs) are important. Antagonists of their receptors and inhibitors of their synthesis have been developed.
Antagonists of LTs, as well as inhibitors of their synthesis, reduce the LTs actions: bronchoconstriction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, hypersecretion and inflammation. They produce an acute bronchodilating effect in mild asthma, reduce the hyperresponsiveness responses due to allergens, aspirin and cold and dry air, and also cutaneous and gastrointestinal reactions. Oral administrations tested during 4 or 6 weeks diminish the use of the beta-agonists, decrease the asthma symptom scores and other inflammatory signs.


CONCLUSIONS
More studies for longer periods, double blind trials and comparisons with classical treatments will be necessary to define the real place of LTs antagonists in the treatment of asthma. So their efficacy has to be confirmed as well as their good tolerance profile (particularly for hepatic functions).


CONCLUSIONS
Antagonists of receptors and synthesis inhibitors of LTs have known a recent and important development. They constitute a new therapeutic class: further studies are needed to better define the place of these new drugs in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
Laboratoire de physiologie et d'explorations fonctionnelles, hôpital Boucicaut, Paris, France.
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MC
Santais
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E
Callens
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R
Djebbar
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F
Ruff
D000098:Acetophenones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007191:Indazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000502:physiology; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000098:Acetophenones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007191:Indazoles; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013777:Tetrazoles; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C063962:2-(3-pyridylmethyl)indazolinone; C044660:LY 171883; C063449:zileuton; D006918:Hydroxyurea; C062735:zafirlukast
Intérêt potentiel des antileucotriènes dans le traitement de l'asthme et autres pathologies inflammatoires: à propos d'une nouvelle classe pharmacologique.