The Effects of Oral Doses of Theophylline and Fenoterol on Exercise-Induced Asthma

As bronchodilators, theophylline and ^-adrenergic agonists appear to have partially additive effects. Pulmonary function improves to a greater extent when the two drugs are given together than when the same doses are given separately. In vivo effects are not synergistic, as might be predicted from in vitro studies demonstrating that both agents act to increase intracellular cyclic AMP, and that their effects on both cyclic AMP and cellular function are synergistic. In addition to their

Tagged: asthma , bronchodilation , bronchodilators , theophylline

Chronic Asthma after Immunization with Killed Influenza Virus

No differences were observed between groups receiving active vaccine and placebo in the mean PEF in the morning, noon, or evening during the first seven days after vaccination (Fig 1). Symptom scores for dyspnea, cough, and production of sputum and also the need for medication were similar in the two groups. Age, sex, duration of the disease, hypersensitivity to aspirin , atopic status, history of attacks of asthma induced by viral infections, diurnal variation of baseline PEF of

Tagged: asthma , respiratory viral infection , vaccine

Details of Clinical Exacerbations in Adults with Chronic Asthma after Immunization with Killed Influenza Virus

Acute respiratory viral infection is a frequent cause of exacerbations of asthma in asthmatic patients. Furthermore, viral infections have been shown to increase bronchial sensitivity to inhaled methacholine, carbachol (carbocholine), and histamine. This change may be due partly to epithelial airway damage which exposes the airway receptors to inhaled irritants. Viral infections may also reduce β-adrenergic responsiveness and so enhance bronchial hyperreactivity. Although conclusive evidence of benefit has not been presented, it has been recommended

Tagged: asthma , respiratory viral infection , vaccine

Results of Airway Wall Thickening in Patients With Cough Variant Asthma and Nonasthmatic Chronic Cough

Clinical characteristics of the three subject groups are shown in Table 1. Sputum eosinophils were insignificantly increased in patients with CVA compared with those with NAC (p = 0.076). Log Dmin was significantly lower in the CVA group than in the NAC group (0.23 ± 0.73 U vs 1.40 ± 0.49 U, p < 0.0001). Log C5 was not significantly different between 11 patients with CVA and 9 patients with NAC (GERD, n = 3;

Tagged: CT

Airway Wall Thickening in Patients With Cough Variant Asthma and Nonasthmatic Chronic Cough

Airway wall thickening has been observed in postmortem studies of patients with status asthmaticus. The wall thickening is accompanied by airway structural changes, such as subbasement membrane thickening, mucous gland and goblet-cell hyperplasia, increased vascularity, and smooth-muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, as well as with chronic inflammation such as mucosal edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. These changes have been further confirmed by studies using bronchial biopsy in living patients. With the advent of high-resolution CT, noninvasive

Tagged: CT

Observations Relating to Forced Random Noise Resistance Determination in Childhood Asthma

In general, asthmatic patients with an FEVi less than 80 percent of predicted or FEF less than 70 percent of predicted had higher resistance values than asymptomatic asthmatic patients with normal spirometry (Fig 2). This is supported by the position of the two regression lines and by the numerical data, for example, the average of1μ for the 15 with normal spirometry was 5.55 cmH2OLr£ and for the other 15 it was 7.53 cmHaOLTs. Resistance values

Tagged: asthma , body box , bronchodilator-induced change , expiration , height , pulmonary function

Achievement of Forced Random Noise Resistance Determination in Childhood Asthma

Measured values of R«, Rae, and H^ in the four to 17-year-old asthmatic children ranged from 2.8 to 11.4,3.3 to 10.4, and 3.2 to 10.2 cmH2OLi, respectively. Figure 2 shows a plot of these three parameters as a function of height along with separate regression lines for those with normal and abnormal spirometry. It is possible that a curvilinear relationship could have provided a better fit, but we did not feel that the limited amount of data

Tagged: asthma , pulmonary function

Forced Random Noise Resistance Determination in Childhood Asthma

Measurement of pulmonary function in infants and young children is particularly difficult because they are unable to perform the necessary maneuvers and do not tolerate the equipment required by standard spirometric and plethysmographic techniques. Also, complex reflexes from the maximum inspiration and forced expiration complicate the interpretation of forced expiratory spirometric data after administration of bronchoconstrictor or bronchodilator drugs . Forced excitation measurements, which require no special maneuvers and only minimal equipment contact, have potential for providing interpretable pulmonary

Tagged: asthma , body box , bronchodilator-induced change , expiration , height , pulmonary function

Deliberations of Exhaled Leukotrienes and Quality of Life in Asthmatic Patients

In this study, we have shown elevation of cys-LTs in EBC in a group of patients with stable asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids. The increased levels of cys-LTs may indicate the presence of continuing inflammation in the airways despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids . MacFarlane et al found a strong correlation between increased cys-LTs and eosinophilia in induced sputum. Elevated levels of cys-LT in EBC have been also found in adults and children with mild-to-moderate asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids.

Tagged: asthma , cysteinyl-leukotrienes , exhaled breath condensate , leukotriene B4 , leukotriene receptor antagonist

Outcomes of Exhaled Leukotrienes and Quality of Life in Asthmatic Patients

Exhaled Cys-LTs At the initial visit, Cys-LTs were detected in 25 of 50 patients (14.6 ± 3.3 pg/mL; Fig 1, left, a). However, in all our normal subjects, the levels were undetectable. After treatment with montelukast, cys-LT levels fell to 8.5 ± 2.6 pg/mL after 2 weeks (p > 0.05) and to 3.9 ± 1.3 pg/mL after 4 weeks (p < 0.01). When we included into analysis only patients with detectable cys-LTs at the initial visit, the reduction in

Tagged: asthma , cysteinyl-leukotrienes , exhaled breath condensate , leukotriene B4 , leukotriene receptor antagonist