evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of the nutraceutical formulation AminoDefence.

Immune system (IS) functionality is warranted by inter-dependent processes that balance body defences without exceeding in inflammation. An ideal nutraceutical approach should sustain the protective IS activity while controlling inflammation. The potential immunomodulatory activity of the food supplement (FS) AminoDefence was studied in resting macrophages RAW264.

Morniflumate in the treatment of upper airways affections in adults: a review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: We compared, by a meta-analytic process, the antipyretic and symptomatic activity, and the safety profile of morniflumate (ATC code: M01AX22) with those of other commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in acute ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases.

Evidence Acquisition: Our search strategy was performed in various database, included Google Scholar, PubMed and Embase, the key word was "morniflumate". Interventional studies in adults with ENT or lower airway inflammatory diseases were compared in a meta-analysis for the number of symptom-free and fever-free patients at day 3 of therapy, and of drug interruptions due to adverse events (AEs).

Why small particle fixed dose triple therapy? An excursus from COPD pathology to pharmacological treatment evolution.

Although bronchodilators are the cornerstone in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapy, the treatment with a single-agent bronchodilator may not provide adequate symptoms control in COPD. The combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action may be more effective in inducing bronchodilation and preventing exacerbations, with a lower risk of side-effects in comparison with the increase of the dose of a single molecule. Several studies comparing the triple therapy with the association of long-acting ß agonist (LABA)/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/LABA reported improvement of lung function and quality of life.

Beclomethasone/Formoterol in Extra-Fine Formulation Improves Small Airway Dysfunction in COPD Patients.

Introduction: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), small airway dysfunction (SAD) is a key element and a functional consequence of the pathology. The exact role of SAD as a specific 'pharmacological target' represents an important research topic. Our objective was to ascertain whether an extra-fine formulation of beclomethasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate (BDP/FF) NEXThaler 100/6 μg b.

Consequences of not-shaking and shake-fire delays on the emitted dose of some commercial solution and suspension pressurized metered dose inhalers.

Background: Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) include hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant to generate a drug aerosol upon actuation and drugs can be formulated as solution or suspension. Suspended particles can cream or sediment depending on density differences between drug and propellant and shaking the pMDI is an essential step to ensure a uniform drug dose release.

Research Design And Methods: The effect of the delay (0, 10, 30, 60 seconds) in pMDI actuation after shaking and the effect of no-shaking during the canister life on the emitted dose (ED) for commercial solution and suspension pMDIs was investigated.

Small airway inflammation and extrafine inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta-agonists formulations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: To summarize the evidence of small airways involvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathophysiology, and to evaluate the efficacy of extrafine formulations of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) in the treatment of COPD.

Data Source: A search of the PubMed database was conducted using the keywords "COPD", "small airways", "inflammation" and "extrafine formulation." The search was limited to entries published in English before August 2016.

Maintaining Control of Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease: Adherence to Inhaled Therapy and Risks and Benefits of Switching Devices.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are major obstructive airway diseases that involve underlying airway inflammation. The most widely used pharmacotherapies for asthma and COPD are inhaled agents that have been shown to be effective and safe in these patients. However, despite the availability of effective pharmacologic treatment and comprehensive treatment guidelines, the prevalence of inadequately controlled asthma and COPD is high.

Small airway dysfunction and flow and volume bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: We investigated whether a relationship between small airways dysfunction and bronchodilator responsiveness exists in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We studied 100 (20 female; mean age: 68±10 years) patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: 55% pred ±21%; FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC]: 53%±10%) by impulse oscillometry system. Resistance at 5 Hz and 20 Hz (R5 and R20, in kPa·s·L(-1)) and the fall in resistance from 5 Hz to 20 Hz (R5 - R20) were used as indices of total, proximal, and peripheral airway resistance; reactance at 5 Hz (X5, in kPa·s·L(-1)) was also measured.

Effect of Ambroxol and Beclomethasone on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitrosative Stress in Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

Background: Nitrosative stress is involved in different airway diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces neutrophil-related cytokine release and nitrosative stress in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells alone or with human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Ambroxol protects against oxidative stress, and beclomethasone dipropionate is an anti-inflammatory drug.

Assessing and accessing the small airways; implications for asthma management.

Despite the wealth of experience in the management of asthma, the disease remains inadequately controlled in some patients, who face long-term respiratory impairment and disability. The disease has been characterised as an inflammatory condition affecting first the larger airways and eventually the smaller airways, but there is evidence that peripheral airway involvement defines a particular and more severe phenotype of asthma. For this reason, assessing functional and biological parameters reflective of small airways involvement is important prognostically.

Ambroxol: a multifaceted molecule with additional therapeutic potentials in respiratory disorders of childhood.

Introduction: Mucoactive drugs are currently used to cleanse the respiratory tract following disturbance of the normal mucociliary clearance due to mucous hyperproduction and/or modification of its physicochemical characteristics. However, in addition to possessing the ability to perform specific actions on airway secretion, these compounds have the capability to modulate the mechanisms involved in abnormal secretions. Indeed, over the years, in the postmarketing phase, a large number of studies have been published showing interesting pharmacological activities in addition to their secretagogue activity.