Lipid mediators contribute to inflammation providing both pro-inflammatory signals and terminating the inflammatory process by activation of macrophages. Among the most significant biologically lipid mediators, these are produced by free-radical or enzymatic oxygenation of arachidonic acid named "eicosanoids". There were some novel eicosanoids identified within the last decade, and many of them...

Background Bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) remodelling in asthma is related to an increased mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced BSM cell proliferation asthma. Since mitochondria produce the highest levels of cellular energy fatty acid β-oxidation most powerful way ATP, we hypothesised that, asthmatic cells, energetic metabolism shifted towards acids. Objectives We aimed characterise both vitro ...

10 as a hypothesis driven article. Nevertheless, at the time it in the current issue of Thorax confirms that COX-2 is was thought to be too controversial and unsubstantiated present in asthmatic tissue. Why then are NSAIDs un-by any scientific evidence. However, with the publication successful in the treatment of asthmatic symptoms? More-by the journal of Sousa's work showing that COX-2 is over...

Abbreviations: DSCG: Disodium Cromoglycate; BPT: Bronchial Provocation Test; SPT: Skin Prick Test; BU: Biologic Unit; FVC: Forced Vital Capacity; FEV1: Forced Expiratory Value in 1 Second; IAR: Immediate (Early) Asthmatic Response; LAR: Late Asthmatic Response; DLAR: Dual Late Asthmatic Response (a combination of IAR and LAR); DYAR: Delayed Asthmatic Response; DDYAR: Dual Delayed Asthmatic Resp...

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with multifactorial and complicated mechanisms. Elevated level of exhaled Nitric Oxide (NO) in asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases has led to many studies examining NO as a potential marker of airway inflammation. Objective: This study was designed to determine the level of NO in Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) fluid during early and l...

During asthma development, differentiation of epithelial cells and fibroblasts towards the contractile phenotype is associated with bronchial wall remodeling and airway constriction. Pathological fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) can be triggered by local inflammation of bronchial walls. Recently, we have demonstrated that human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) derived from asthmatic pat...

Successful management of asthmatic patients depends on achieving adequate delivery of inhaled drugs to the lung. This assumes particular importance for inhaled corticosteroids where the therapeutic goal should be to achieve a high ratio of airway anti-inflammatory efficacy to local and systemic side effects. The availability of user-friendly inhaler devices requires a critical appraisal of thei...

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with increasing prevalence around the world. Current asthma therapy includes drugs that usually cause significant side effects, justifying the search for new anti-asthmatic drugs. Curine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid that modulates calcium influx in many cell types; however, its anti-allergic and putative toxic effects remain to be ...

The bronchodilator potencies of inhaled atropine sulphate and atropine methonitrate have been compared either alone or in combination with fenoterol in a group of adult asthmatic patients. A cumulative dose response study showed that 2 mg of atropine sulphate produced near maximum bronchodilatation. A larger dose of 4 mg was used in comparing the potency of this drug with 2 mg of atropine metho...