Tag: Asthma

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Optimization of substituted imidazobenzodiazepines as novel asthma treatments.

Optimization of substituted imidazobenzodiazepines as novel asthma treatments.

Eur J Med Chem. 2016 Nov 24;126:550-560

Authors: Jahan R, Stephen MR, Forkuo GS, Kodali R, Guthrie ML, Nieman AN, Yuan NY, Zahn NM, Poe MM, Li G, Yu OB, Yocum GT, Emala CW, Stafford DC, Cook JM, Arnold LA

Abstract
We describe the synthesis of analogs of XHE-III-74, a selective ?4?3?2 GABAAR ligand, shown to relax airway smooth muscle ex vivo and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine asthma model. To improve properties of this compound as an asthma therapeutic, a series of analogs with a deuterated methoxy group in place of methoxy group at C-8 position was evaluated for isotope effects in preclinical assays; including microsomal stability, cytotoxicity, and sensorimotor impairment. The deuterated compounds were equally or more metabolically stable than the corresponding non-deuterated analogs and increased sensorimotor impairment was observed for some deuterated compounds. Thioesters were more cytotoxic in comparison to other carboxylic acid derivatives of this compound series. The most promising compound 16 identified from the in vitro screens also strongly inhibited smooth muscle constriction in ex vivo guinea pig tracheal rings. Smooth muscle relaxation, determined by reduction of airway hyperresponsiveness with a murine ovalbumin sensitized and challenged model, showed that 16 was efficacious at low methacholine concentrations. However, this effect was limited due to suboptimal pharmacokinetics of 16. Based on these findings, further analogs of XHE-III-74 will be investigated to improve in vivo metabolic stability while retaining the efficacy at lung tissues involved in asthma pathology.

PMID: 27915170 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Association of interleukin-18 and asthma.

Association of interleukin-18 and asthma.

Inflammation. 2016 Dec 02;

Authors: Xu MH, Yuan FL, Wang SJ, Xu HY, Li CW, Tong X

Abstract
Cytokine-mediated immunity plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of various immune diseases, including asthma. The recent identification of the family interleukin (IL)-1-related cytokine IL-18 now contributes to our understanding of the fine-tuning of cellular immunity. IL-18 can act as a cofactor for Th2 cell development and IgE production and also plays an important role in the differentiation of Th1 cells. Recent work identified an IL-18 association with the pathogenesis of asthma, wherein increased IL-18 expression was found in the serum of patients. Furthermore, IL-18 polymorphisms with susceptibility to asthma were reported, suggesting that IL-18 may be therapeutically relevant to asthma. In this review, we discuss the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of asthma and its therapeutic potential based on current research.

PMID: 27913952 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Association of Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis with Childhood Asthma.

Association of Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis with Childhood Asthma.

Indian Pediatr. 2016 Nov 5;:

Authors: Kumar S, Singh M, Das RR, Mathew JL, Saxena AK

Abstract
BACKGROUND: To study the point prevalence of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis in childhood asthma and to examine the relationships among them.
METHODS: In 250 children (age <13 y) with mild-to-moderte asthma, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed by clinical plus nasal eosinophilia criteria, and sinusitis was diagnosed clinically plus confirmation by computerized tomography scan.
RESULTS: The point prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 13.6%, and of sinusitis was 2%. On multivariate analysis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and family history were significantly associated with asthma severity.
CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis is common in childhood, but sinusitis is rare.

PMID: 27889716 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Intranasal Curcumin Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Modulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in Ovalbumin-Induced Chronic Asthma.

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Intranasal Curcumin Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Modulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in Ovalbumin-Induced Chronic Asthma.

Inflammation. 2016 Nov 19;

Authors: Chauhan PS, Dash D, Singh R

Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with irreversible, or partially reversible, airflow obstruction and ultimately unresponsiveness to asthma therapies such as corticosteroids. Intranasal curcumin, an anti-inflammatory molecule, has been found effective in allergic asthma. To study the effect of intranasal curcumin on airway remodeling and fibrosis in murine model of chronic asthma, BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and exposed to OVA aerosol (2%) from day 21 (after sensitization) for 5 weeks (twice/week). Curcumin (intranasal) was administered during the OVA aerosol challenge. Mice exposed to OVA developed inflammation dominated by eosinophils which lead to fibrosis and airway remodeling. Intranasal administration of curcumin significantly inhibited airway inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis, where MMP-9 activities were decreased along with ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA), MMP-9, TIMP-1, and eotaxin expressions. These results suggest that intranasal curcumin regulates airway inflammation and remodeling in chronic asthma.

PMID: 27866296 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Evaluation of New Drugs for Asthma and COPD: Endpoints, Biomarkers and Clinical Trial Design.

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Evaluation of New Drugs for Asthma and COPD: Endpoints, Biomarkers and Clinical Trial Design.

Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2016 Nov 13;

Authors: Singh D

Abstract
There remains a considerable need to develop novel therapies for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The greatest challenge at the moment is measuring the effects of novel anti-inflammatory drugs, as these drugs often cause only small effects on lung function. Measurements that demonstrate the pharmacological and clinical effects of these drugs are needed. Furthermore, we now recognise that only subgroups of patients are likely to respond to these novel drugs, so using biomarkers to determine the clinical phenotype most suitable for such therapies is important. An endotype is a subtype of a (clinical) condition defined by a distinct pathophysiological mechanism. An endotype-driven approach may be more helpful in drug development, enabling drugs to be targeted specifically towards specific biological mechanisms rather than clinical characteristics. This requires the development of biomarkers to define endotypes and/or to measure drug effects. This newer approach should continue alongside efforts to optimise the measurement of clinical endpoints, including patient-reported outcome measurements, required by drug regulatory authorities.

PMID: 27838852 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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