title: Role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma: immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of H1-receptor antagonists.
abstract: Cumulative clinical and laboratory evidence on histamine and its actions suggests that it has a pathophysiologic role in asthma. These findings have renewed interest in the potential therapeutic role of H1 antihistamines in this disease. A murine model of allergen-induced airway inflammation and methacholine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness has been used to clarify mechanisms of airway function, to identify potential therapeutic targets, and to investigate the effects of the H1-receptor antagonist fexofenadine. Findings suggest that there may be a role for second-generation antihistamines in treating asthma, with patient selection as well as dosing both important therapeutic considerations. Because high-dose therapy may be required to achieve a clinical response, agents with the widest therapeutic window and the lowest potential for sedation would offer the greatest therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. gelfande@njc.org
authors.forename: Erwin W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gelfand
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006632:Histamine / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006632:Histamine