Can beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, anticholinergic drugs, and theophylline contribute to the control of pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in COPD?

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2012), 26(1), 118-134

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a global epidemic disease with an increased morbidity and mortality in the world. Inflammatory process progresses and contributes to irreversible ... [more ▼]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a global epidemic disease with an increased morbidity and mortality in the world. Inflammatory process progresses and contributes to irreversible airflow limitation. However, there is no available therapy to better control the inflammatory progression and therefore to reduce the exacerbations and mortality. Thus, the development of efficient anti-inflammatory therapies is a priority for patients with COPD. beta(2) -Adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic agents are widely used as first line drugs in management of COPD because of their efficient bronchodilator properties. At present, many studies in vitro and some data obtained in laboratory animals reveal the potential anti-inflammatory effects of these bronchodilators but their protective role against chronic inflammation and the development of emphysema in patients with COPD remains to be investigated. The anti-inflammatory effects of theophylline at low doses have also been identified. Beneficial interactions between glucocorticoids and bronchodilators have been reported, and signaling pathways explaining these synergistic effects begin to be understood, especially for theophylline. Recent data demonstrating interactions between anticholinergics with beta(2) -adrenoceptor agonists aiming to better control the pulmonary inflammation and the development of emphysema in animal models of COPD justify the priority to investigate the interactive effects of a tritherapy associating corticoids with the two main categories of bronchodilators. [less ▲]

Effects of formoterol,ipratropium and their combination on repeated cadmium inhalation-induced lung inflammation and airspace enlargement

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2010), 10

Role of beta 2-receptors in the anti-inflammatory effects of formoterol in rats with cadmium-induced acute pulmonary inflammation

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2008), 227

Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of alcohol dependence

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2007), 21(1), 9-28

In recent years, advances in neuroscience led to the development of new medications to treat alcohol dependence and especially to prevent alcohol relapse after detoxification. Whereas the earliest ... [more ▼]

In recent years, advances in neuroscience led to the development of new medications to treat alcohol dependence and especially to prevent alcohol relapse after detoxification. Whereas the earliest medications against alcohol dependence were fortuitously discovered, recently developed drugs are increasingly based on alcohol's neurobiological mechanisms of action. This review discusses the most recent developments in alcohol pharmacotherapy and emphasizes the neurobiological basis of anti-alcohol medications. There are currently three approved drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependence with quite different mechanisms of action. Disulfiram is an inhibitor of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase and acts as an alcohol-deterrent drug. Naltrexone, an opiate antagonist, reduces alcohol craving and relapse in heavy drinking, probably via a modulation of the mesolimbic dopamine activity. Finally, acamprosate helps maintaining alcohol abstinence, probably through a normalization of the chronic alcohol-induced hyperglutamatergic state. In addition to these approved medications, many other drugs have been suggested for preventing alcohol consumption on the basis of preclinical studies. Some of these drugs remain promising, whereas others have produced disappointing results in preliminary clinical studies. These new drugs in the field of alcohol pharmacotherapy are also discussed, together with their mechanisms of action. [less ▲]

In vitro pharmacological activity of salbutamol acetonide on the isolated guinea-pig trachea and porcine bronchus

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2005), 19

Some effects of proanthocyanidins isolated from Ribes nigrum on the cardiovascular system in the rat.

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2004), 18

Design and pharmacological evaluation of recently developed 6-substituted 3-bromophenyl 2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran 3-carboxylate derivatives as putative inhibitors of cell invasion

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2004)

Identification of COX-2 selective inhibitor

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2004)

Produgs of AMPA potentiators structurally related to IDRA21 : design, preparation, hydrolysis study and pharmacological evaluation

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2004)

New analogues of the KATP channel opener cromakalim : synthesis and pharmacological evaluation on rat pancreatic B-cells and rat aorta rings

in Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (2004)