Enhancing the nitric oxide synthesis pathway in asthma: a plausible therapeutic approach?
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways, caused by various allergens and characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness to stimuli. Inflammatory responses have two phases: an early asthma response in which acute inflammation mediators, such as histamine, induce bronchospasm; and a late asthma response involving more chronic and complex local inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous mediator with bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory properties that is downregulated in asthma as a result of local inflammation. The augmented availability of NO in the lungs may represent a plausible approach for the treatment of asthma; however, the mechanisms leading to the decreased expression of this molecule have not been fully elucidated, and demonstration of the therapeutic effects of NO-enhancing compounds in asthma requires further research.
Antoniu
Sabina A
SA
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iaşi, Department of Internal Medicine-Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania. sabina.antonela.antoniu@pneum.umfiasi.ro
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001119:Arginase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism
D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D001119:Arginase