BACKGROUND A T helper cell (TH) 17-biased response has been observed in patients with allergic asthma, particularly in those with neutrophil accumulation in the lung. Therefore, we sought to test the hypothesis that neutrophils might be an important source of interleukin (IL)-17 in allergic asthma. METHODS Whole peripheral blood cells from non-asthmatic control subjects (n = 17) and patients ...

The relative efficiency of the metered dose inhaler (MDI), the MDI attached to a pear shaped extension tube (PET), and the Inspiron Mini-Neb nebuliser were assessed in eight normal and eight asthmatic subjects. Subjects inhaled the same increasing doses of terbutaline with each technique on different occasions and the response was measured as specific airway conductance (sGaw) and, in the asthm...

BACKGROUND The influence of bathing in asthma patients is not yet fully known. OBJECTIVE We conducted an observational study to investigate changes in symptoms and their degree by bathing in asthmatic patients. METHODS A questionnaire focusing on ever experienced bathing-induced symptom changes and their degree, as well as contributing factors, was designed and administered to asthmatic pat...

BACKGROUND At the population level, asthma has been associated with chronic systemic inflammation as well as adverse cardiovascular outcomes. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate peripheral vascular hemodynamic variables of arterial stiffness (AS) and their relationship to pulmonary function tests in asthmatic patients. METHODS Young asthmatic patients from the tertiary cente...

Neopterin is synthesized by human monocyte-derived macrophages upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Measurement of neopterin concentration is useful to monitor cell-mediated (Th1-type) immune activation. In this study, we aimed to analyze the behaviour of neopterin in long lasting asthma considering its role as a marker of the Th1 environment and to establish the distinction betw...

Background The aim of the this study was to analyse if there is an association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (287 base pairs, on chromosome 17q23, intron 16 (rs4340)) with asthma severity. ACE plays a vital role in the renin-angiotensinsystem (RAS) which regulates blood pressure by converting angiotensin I into a powerful vasoconstrictor angio...

Although inflammation is an important component of atherosclerosis, it is unknown whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as anti-inflammatory drugs prevent atherosclerosis. In the present study, carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by ultrasonography in 150 asthmatic patients who had been regularly treated with ICS, and in 150 matched nonasthmatic controls, with an assessment of atherosclerotic...

Asthma is characterised by reversible airway obstruction. In most patients, control of disease activity is easily achieved. However, in a small minority, asthma may be fatal. Between the two extremes lie patients with severe asthmatic attacks, refractory to standard treatment. These patients are at an increased risk of recurrent severe attacks, with respiratory failure, and mechanical ventilati...

BACKGROUND Investigations using high-resolution CT (HRCT) show that bronchial dilatation (BD) is found in many patients with asthma. However, the pathogenesis and pathophysiologic relevance of BD in asthma are poorly understood. A balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may control the remodeling of extracellular matrix, and excess MM...

Background: Asthmatic sufferers complain of sudden relapse when performing daily activities. exposure to cigarette smoke makes asthmatics where the longer is experienced by patient, more frequent asthma exacerbations are experienced. For people with asthma, avoiding excessive physical activity and very necessary prevent recurrence symptoms. So it control level which influenced factors that trig...