We previously observed greater ozone-induced lung function decrements in obese than non-obese women. Animal models suggest that obesity enhances ozone-induced airway reactivity and inflammation. In a controlled exposure study, we compared the acute effect of randomized 0.4ppm ozone and air exposures (2 h with intermittent light exercise) in obese (N = 20) (30<BMI<40Kg/m2) vs. non-obese (N = 20)...

the  frequency of  allergic diseases such  as allergic rhinitis is considerable in general population. insect aeroallergens are important allergens which can induce airway inflammation. the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sensitization to insect aeroallergens in allergic rhinitis patients in yazd as a desert city in iran. a cross-sectional study was undertaken on 95 allergi...

Interleukin (IL)-1beta causes airway inflammation, enhances airway smooth muscle responsiveness, and alters neurotransmitter expression in sensory, sympathetic, and myenteric neurons. This study examines the role of intrinsic airway neurons in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) induced by IL-1beta. Ferrets were instilled intratracheally with IL-1beta (0.3 microg/0.3 ml) or saline (0.3 ml) once da...

human and murine allergic airway inflammation. While its effector function is incompletely understood, our preliminary experiments lead us to propose that IL-16 is a naturally occurring modulator of Th2 cell-mediated airway inflammation. Prior experiments have demonstrated that IL-16 interferes with antigen recognition and Th2 cytokine production by CD4 cells. We tested the hypothesis that IL-1...

In a proportion of atopic asthmatics, exposure to a relevant antigen is followed by chronic inflammation in the airways leading to altered airway responsiveness (AR). However, the mechanisms underlying the development of airway hyperresponsiveness still remain unclear. To elucidate the relationship between IgE-mediated reactions and airway hyperresponsiveness, a murine model of passive sensitiz...

Asthma exacerbation can be a life-threatening condition, and is most often triggered by common respiratory viruses. Poor asthma control and worsening of respiratory function is associated with increased airway inflammation, including eosinophilia. Prevention of asthma exacerbation relies on treatment with corticosteroids, which preferentially inhibit allergic inflammation like eosinophils. Huma...

The mechanisms leading to asthma, and those guarding against it, are yet to be fully defined. The neuropeptide VIP is a cotransmitter, together with nitric oxide (NO), of airway relaxation, and a modulator of immune and inflammatory responses. NO-storing molecules in the lung were recently shown to modulate airway reactivity and were proposed to have a protective role against the disease. We re...

We used a wedged bronchoscope technique in conjunction with an in situ isolated perfused left lower lobe preparation in anesthetized dogs to examine cold-associated airway modulation of peripheral lung responses to dry airflow, hypocapnia, and aerosols of histamine and hypertonic NaCl. In this preparation, airway wall temperature was rapidly lowered by decreasing the temperature of blood perfus...