The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Mar 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTime course of changes in adenosine 5'-monophosphate airway responsiveness with inhaled heparin in allergic asthma.
Recent studies have shown that inhaled heparin exerts a protective effect against various bronchoconstrictor stimuli in asthma, possible through an inhibition of mast cell activation. ⋯ Heparin administered by inhalation is effective in attenuating the airway response to AMP but not to methacholine. The time course of change in bronchial reactivity to AMP has a peak effect at 15 minutes and lasts up to 60 minutes. It is possible that the mechanism(s) underlying the protective effects of inhaled heparin in asthma may be related to an inhibitory modulation of mast cell activation.