Bradykinin (BK) is a peptide mediator generated at sites of inflammation and its effects are mediated through constitutively expressed B 2 receptor or through induction of B 1 receptors. We examined the role of these receptors in bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Brown-Norway rats sensitized with ovalbumin (OA) and Al(OH) 3 intraperitoneally, were exposed 3 wk later to either saline or OA ae...

The prevalence of asthma was studied in a ice hockey team compared with both a floor ball team and the Swiss population. Lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, asthma symptoms and exercise-induced asthma were measured in a cross-sectional prospective study. A positive response to the methacholine bronchial provocation test was found in 34.6% of the ice hockey players and ...

between airways hyperresponsiveness to histamine and pulmonary function level in a random population sample. Am Rev Respir Dis 1988; 137:826–832 9 Carey VJ, Weiss ST, Tager IB, et al. Airways responsiveness, wheeze onset, and recurrent asthma episodes in young adolescents: the East Boston Childhood Respiratory Disease Cohort. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1996; 153: 356 –361 10 Zhong NS, Chen RC, Y...

BACKGROUND Despite a long-standing recognition, the bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) of airway smooth muscle, in asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects is still under investigation. OBJECTIVE In order to better understand the mechanism regulating the airway function, some results obtained with cellular physiology techniques are compared, for some non-asthmatic without BHR subjects and other ...

Smooth muscle contraction is mediated by Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent pathways. The latter Ca2+-independent pathway, termed Ca2+ sensitization, is mainly regulated by a monomeric GTP binding protein RhoA and its downstream target Rho-kinase. Recent studies suggest a possible involvement of augmented RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling in the elevated smooth muscle contraction in several human dise...

Perceived nasal and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to tobacco smoke and cold air were assessed in 912 working men in the Paris area. Baseline lung function measurements and peripheral leucocyte counts with standard differential counts were performed. At least one perceived nasal or bronchial hyperresponsiveness symptom was reported by 15.7%. Current smoking was significantly less frequent among ...

Current asthma is often diagnostically excluded by the presence of normal bronchial responsiveness. We report on a TDI-induced occupational asthma patient with normal bronchial responsiveness. He had suffered from shortness of breath during and after TDI exposure for several months. His initial methacholine bronchial challenge test showed a negative response. The bronchoprovacation test with TD...

To determine the mechanism(s) of the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic bronchial asthma, the effects of systemic treatment with glucocorticoids on bronchial smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness and RhoA upregulation were investigated in rats with allergic bronchial asthma. Rats were sensitized and repeatedly challenged with 2,4-dinitrophenylated Ascaris...

A 29-year-old man had a persuasive history of respiratory illness following exposures to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). He was evaluated by measuring bronchial reactivity to methacholine, both before and after controlled laboratory exposures to MDI. Despite evidence of progressive declines in FEV1 with increasing (but subirritant) doses of MDI on three consecutive days, there was no bro...