Respiratory medicine
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The histochemical characteristics of human basophils and tissue mast cells were described over a century ago by Paul Ehrlich. When mast cells are activated by an allergen that binds to serum IgE attached to their FcɛRI receptors, they release cytokines, eicosanoids and their secretory granules. Mast cells are now thought to exert critical proinflammatory functions, as well as potential immunoregulatory roles, in various immune disorders through the release of mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines chemokines, and neutral proteases (chymase and tryptase). ⋯ Drugs, such as glucocorticoids, cyclosporine and cromolyn have been shown to have inhibitory effects on mast cell degranulation and mediator release. This review shows that mast cells play an active role in such diverse diseases as asthma, rhinitis, middle ear infection, and pulmonary fibrosis. In conclusion, mast cells may not only contribute to the chronic airway inflammatory response, remodeling and symptomatology, but they may also have a central role in the initiation of the allergic immune response, that is providing signals inducing IgE synthesis by B-lymphocytes and inducing Th2 lymphocyte differentiation.
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Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of whole body vibration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--a randomized controlled trial.
To date endurance and strength training are established and evidence-based exercise methods in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is an unmet need for further research in new and complementary exercise modalities. Additional whole body vibration training during pulmonary rehabilitation may be such a new approach that has not yet been investigated in patients with COPD. ⋯ WBV training seems to be a promising new exercise modality for patients with COPD and may enhance the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.
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Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Alpha-1 antitrypsin is elevated in exhaled breath condensate and serum in exacerbated COPD patients.
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly contribute to COPD-related morbidity. Diagnosis of COPD exacerbations may be improved by analyzing biomarkers such as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). AAT is an acute-phase protein and inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. Deficiency of AAT may result in early-onset respiratory symptoms. Measurement of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method to investigate biomarkers present in the epithelial lining fluid, such as AAT. ⋯ AAT in EBC was detectable and quantifiable. AAT measured in EBC was significantly increased during exacerbations of COPD and can potentially be used as a biomarker in exacerbations.
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Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Comparative StudySerum myostatin levels and skeletal muscle wasting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It is well confirmed that myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass and implicated in several diseases involved in muscle wasting and cachexia. Skeletal muscle wasting is an important systemic manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while the expression of circulating myostatin in COPD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of circulating myostatin and its relationship with skeletal muscle wasting in COPD. ⋯ This study demonstrates that circulating myostatin levels are elevated in COPD and related to SMM in male patients, suggesting that myostatin contributes to skeletal muscle wasting in COPD.