Airway wall structure assessed by endobronchial ultrasonography and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma.

Background And Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the wall structure assessed by using endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with stable asthma and 11 individuals without asthma were studied. EBUS was performed with a radial 20-MHz ultrasonic probe inserted into the intermediate bronchus undergoing flexible bronchoscopy to assess the airway wall structure.

Role of COX-2 in cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin in patients with sinobronchial syndrome.

Background: Sinobronchial syndrome is a cause of chronic productive cough. Inflammatory mediators are involved in the pathophysiology of chronic productive cough. Accumulating evidences indicate that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, one of the inducible isoforms of COX, is a key element in the pathophysiological process of a number of inflammatory disorders.

Antitussive effects of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast in patients with cough variant asthma and atopic cough.

Background: Chronic cough is the only symptom of cough variant asthma (CVA) and atopic cough (AC). Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists have been shown to be effective in CVA, but there are no reports on their effectiveness in AC. To evaluate the antitussive effect of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in CVA and AC.

COX-2 inhibition attenuates cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin in patients with asthma.

Background And Objective: Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostanoids. There are two isoforms of COX, namely COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 is highly inducible by several stimuli and is associated with inflammation.

Effects of KF19514, a phosphodiesterase 4 and 1 Inhibitor, on bronchial inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

Background: Phosphodiesterase 4 selective inhibitor may prevent airway inflammation and remodeling.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of KF19514, a phosphodiesterase 4 and 1 dual inhibitor, on chronic airway inflammation and remodeling following chronic exposure to aerosolized antigen in mice.

Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA) was administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice on days 0 and 14, and the mice were then exposed to aerosolized OVA daily for 4 weeks.