Physiopathological Data for the Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

The study of the pharmacological properties of antiasthmatic drugs has deeply influenced ideas concerning the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of asthma. New findings on the pathogenesis of asthma influence the hypotheses involving the mode of action of antiasthmatic drugs. A discussion on the physiopathological treatment of bronchial asthma, therefore, is based on current thinking about the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. The main characteristic of bronchial asthma is bronchial hyperreactivity [1]. Bronchial reactivity is determined by genetic factors and by exogenous influences. Exogenous influences such as allergens, air pollutants, infection, etc. modify bronchial reactivity by causing airway inflammation. Especially illustrative is the relation between type I allergy and nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity. The occurrence of a late phase bronchial reaction after allergen inhalation is followed by an increase in nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity [2]. The activity of the different antiasthmatic drugs on nonspecific bronchial reactivity, airway inflammation and type I allergic reactions will therefore be discussed along with their other pharmacological effects.