Protective effect of inhaled furosemide on allergen-induced early and late asthmatic reactions

Article Abstract:

Furosemide inhibits secretion of sodium and chloride ions in the kidney and is thus used as a diuretic agent to increase the volume of urine. Research has shown that the bronchial structures of the lung are similarly able to move ions into their duct structures and may be sensitive to diuretic drugs. This hypothesis was examined in a group of 11 patients with mild clinical asthma who were challenged with an allergen, that is, a compound that induces asthma. The values obtained from all 11 following a placebo treatment were compared to the effects after treatment with the furosemide. The resistance to flow within the airway and the volume of air that could be moved, the forced expiratory volume (FEV), were measured. The results show that the physiological mechanism of asthma is affected by furosemide, although the underlying biochemistry of this response is unknown. Furosemide inhibits the secretion of chloride ions into the bronchiole lumen, the duct system of the lungs, by interfering with the transport mechanism that is located at the base and sides of the lining epithelial cells, the basolateral membranes. Perhaps the osmolarity, the concentration of ions, is altered in bronchial asthma, but why furosemide functions as a protective anti-asthmatic during allergen-challenge is not clear. Although a furosemide-sensitive mechanism is implicated in allergic asthma, these results point toward the use of this drug in treatment; they do not establish a therapeutic role at this time.

Case studies, Evaluation, Measurement, Lung diseases, Asthmatics, Forced expiratory volume, Furosemide

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Preventing bronchoconstriction in exercise-induced asthma with inhaled heparin

Article Abstract:

The inhalation of heparin may prevent exercise-induced asthma. Heparin occurs naturally in the body but is also sometimes taken therapeutically to prevent blood clotting. Its effects on asthma appear to be unrelated to its anticoagulant properties. Twelve patients with histories of asthma after exercise were studied for five days each. Their evaluations included exercise testing without heparin intervention, inhalation of heparin without exercise, and inhalation of heparin, sodium cromolyn or a placebo followed 45 minutes later by exercise. In those patients who inhaled heparin prior to exercise, measurements of specific airway conductance were similar to those taken while resting. Measures of respiratory rate, heart rate and other measures of ventilatory function remained the same whether patients were given heparin, placebo or cromolyn.

Innovations, Heparin, Aerosol therapy

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New treatments for exercise-induced asthma

Article Abstract:

Salmeterol and montelukast are two drugs that may be helpful in treating exercise-induced asthma. Almost all asthma patients experience bronchoconstriction when exercising, especially in cold, dry air. A 1998 study found that salmeterol prevented exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma patients. However, the effect wore off the longer the drug was used. Another study showed that montelukast reduced exercise-induced bronchoconstriction by an average of 47%.

Editorial, Physiological aspects, Salmeterol, Exercise, Exercise physiology

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