Search results for "RESPIRATORY SYSTEM"

Effects of Nrf2 deficiency on bone microarchitecture in an experimental model of osteoporosis

2014

Objective. Redox imbalance contributes to bone fragility. We have evaluated the in vivo role of nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), an important regulator of cellular responses to oxidative stress, in bone metabolism using a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods. Ovariectomy was performed in both wild-type and mice deficient in Nrf2 (Nrf2-/-). Bone microarchitecture was analyzed by CT. Serum markers of bone metabolism were also measured. Reactive oxygen species production was determined using dihydrorhodamine 123. Results. Sham-operated or ovariectomized Nrf2 -/- mice exhibit a loss in trabecular bone mineral density in femur, accompanied by a reduction in co…

Why use long acting bronchodilators in chronic obstructive lung diseases? An extensive review on formoterol and salmeterol

2015

Abstract Long-acting β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists, formoterol and salmeterol, represent a milestone in the treatments of chronic obstructive lung diseases. Although no specific indications concerning the choice of one molecule rather than another are provided by asthma and COPD guidelines, they present different pharmacological properties resulting in distinct clinical employment possibilities. In particular, salmeterol has a low intrinsic efficacy working as a partial receptor agonist, while formoterol is a full agonist with high intrinsic efficacy. From a clinical perspective, in the presence of low β 2 -adrenoceptors availability, like in inflamed airways, a full agonist can maintain its b…

Subtype-Specific Desensitization of Human Endothelin ETA and ETB Receptors Reflects Differential Receptor Phosphorylation

1997

Endothelins regulate blood pressure in mammals through G protein-coupled receptors. Two receptor subtypes, ETA and ETB, exist which differ by their agonist profiles. Here we show subtype-specific differences in the inactivation of these endothelin receptors. Using a modified inositol phosphate accumulation assay, we found that stimulation of ETA by endothelin-1 results in sustained activation of the subtype, retaining >30% of its initial activity even 20 min after agonist administration, whereas the ETB rapidly deactivated after agonist stimulation, losing >80% of its initial activity within 5 min after endothelin application. The discrepancy in receptor inactivation is reflected by subtype…

GABA, receptor mediated fast synaptic inhibition in the rabbit brain-stem respiratory system

1991

The involvement of GABA mediated neurotransmission in the central control of respiration was investigated by administration of the specific GABAA receptor agonist muscimol and the specific GABAA receptor antagonist biculline into the fourth cerebral ventricle of the rabbit. Cycle-triggered averaging of the phrenic nerve activity (PNA) was used to quantify drug-induced changes of the central respiratory pattern. Muscimol reduced the peak amplitude of PNA and increased the duration of the respiratory phases. High amounts of muscimol led to a long-lasting but reversible central apnea. Bicuculline very effectively blocked the effects of externally applied muscimol. Blockade of intrinsically act…

Impact of extrafine formulations of inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta-2 agonist combinations on patient-related outcomes in asthma and COPD

2014

Nicola Scichilone,1 Alida Benfante,1 Luca Morandi,2 Federico Bellini,2 Alberto Papi21Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine, Section of Pulmonology, University of Palermo, Italy; 2Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyAbstract: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the most common chronic diseases worldwide, characterized by a condition of variable degree of airway obstruction and chronic airway inflammation. A large body of evidence has demonstrated the importance of small airways as a pharmacological target in these clinical conditions. Despite a deeper understanding of the pathophysiologic…

Allergen-Immuntherapie in der aktuellen COVID-19-Pandemie – ein Positionspapier von ARIA, EAACI, AeDA, GPA und DGAKI (Kurzversion) – Positionspapier …

2020

Personalized medicine for allergy treatment: Allergen immunotherapy still a unique and unmatched model

2021

International audience; The introduction of personalized medicine (PM) has been a milestone in the history of medical therapy, because it has revolutionized the previous approach of treating the disease with that of treating the patient. It is known today that diseases can occur in different genetic variants, making specific treatments of proven efficacy necessary for a given endotype. Allergic diseases are particularly suitable for PM, because they meet the therapeutic success requirements, including a known molecular mechanism of the disease, a diagnostic tool for such disease, and a treatment blocking the mechanism. The stakes of PM in allergic patients are molecular diagnostics, to dete…

Current therapeutical strategies for allergic rhinitis

2018

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition with increasing prevalence and is associated with several comorbid disorders such as bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. If allergen avoidance is not possible, allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only causal treatment option.This review focuses on current treatments and the future outlook for allergic rhinitis. Pharmacotherapy includes mast cell stabilizers, antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids (GCSs), leukotriene receptor antagonists, and nasal decongestants. Nasal GCSs are currently regarded as the most effective treatment and are considered first-line therapy together with non-sedating antihistamines. The new formulation MP29-02 combines the…

Efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy in patients with allergy to molds: A systematic review

2018

BACKGROUND Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with mould extracts has been performed for many years but the final demonstration of its clinical efficacy is still missing, due to the small number of studies and their inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE To systematically review efficacy and safety of AIT for the treatment of respiratory allergies to moulds. DESIGN The primary outcomes were safety and reduction of symptoms (Symptom Score, SS) and medication use (Medication Score, MS) in patients treated with AIT compared to controls. The strength of the evidence was graded based on the risk of bias, consistency and magnitude of effect, according to the GRADE Working Group's guide. DATA SOURCES Medline, …

Technical standards in allergen exposure chambers worldwide - an EAACI Task Force Report

2021

Allergen exposure chambers (AECs) can be used for controlled exposure to allergenic and non-allergenic airborne particles in an enclosed environment, in order to (i) characterize the pathological features of respiratory diseases and (ii) contribute to and accelerate the clinical development of pharmacological treatments and allergen immunotherapy for allergic disease of the respiratory tract (such as allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and allergic asthma). In the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency for the clinical development of products for allergen immunotherapy (AIT), the role of AECs in determining primary endpoints in dose-finding Phase II trials is emphasized. A…