Transforming growth factor-beta and its role in asthma.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an important fibrogenic and immunomodulatory factor that may play a role in the structural changes observed in the asthmatic airways. In vitro as well as in vivo studies have evidenced a dual role for TGF-beta: it can either function as a pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokine on inflammatory cells, participating into the initiation and resultion of inflammatory and immune responses in the airways. TGF-beta is also involved in the remodelling of the airway wall, and has in particular been related to the subepithelial fibrosis.

Nerve growth factor levels and localisation in human asthmatic bronchi.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has recently been suggested to be an important mediator of inflammation. In support of this, serum levels of NGF have been shown to be enhanced in asthmatics. However, it has not yet been shown whether the levels of NGF are also altered locally in asthmatic airways, when compared with healthy subjects, and the localisation of potential sources of NGF in the human bronchus have not yet been described.

Local increase in the number of mast cells and expression of nerve growth factor in the bronchus of asthmatic patients after repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose.

Background: Repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose induces an increase in bronchial hyper-responsiveness, without any associated symptom. The concomitant events in the bronchus have not been described.

Objective: We have studied the dynamic number of mast cells in the airways of patients with mild asthma before and after repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is reported to promote growth and survival of mast cells.

Twenty-four hours of activity of cetirizine and fexofenadine in the skin.

Background: Cetirizine and fexofenadine, the active metabolite of terfenadine, are powerful and well-tolerated H1 receptor antagonists effective in the treatment of skin and nose atopic diseases.

Objective: We have compared the pharmacodynamic activity of the two antihistamines at therapeutic dosages, cetirizine at 10 mg and fexofenadine at 120 mg and 180 mg, on histamine-induced skin reactivity during a 24-hour period after single intake.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy volunteers participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.

Consistency and efficacy of cetirizine (10 mg) versus ebastine (20 mg) at 4 h on skin reactivity.

Objective: We compared the consistency and efficacy of the two antihistamines, cetirizine (10 mg) and ebastine (20 mg) on histamine skin reactivity 4 h after treatment.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteers participated in a randomised double-blind cross-over study. The areas of wheals and flares induced by increasing (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 300 mg/ml) histamine concentrations, administered by prick tests, were measured before and 4 h after intake of cetirizine or ebastine.