5-HT modifiers as a potential treatment of asthma.
Increased levels of free 5-HT have been shown to be present in the plasma of symptomatic asthmatic patients compared with levels in asymptomatic patients. In addition, free 5-HT has been shown to correlate positively with clinical status and negatively with pulmonary function. These findings suggest that 5-HT might play a role in the pathophysiology of acute asthma. Accordingly, modifiers of the 5-HT transmitter system such as compounds that affect the 5-HT transporter, prejunctional 5-HT receptors or postsynaptic 5-HT receptors might represent a novel treatment of asthma.
Cazzola
I
I
Cardarelli Hospital, Via del Parco Margherita 24, 80121 Naples, Italy. mcazzola@qubisoft.it
Matera
M G
MG
D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012701:Serotonin