[Synergic effects of anti-inflammatory drugs in asthma]

Persistent asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that requires treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone of the treatment of airway inflammation. Clinical studies have shown that asthmatic patients treated with long-acting beta(2)-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids have more reduced exacerbations than those given higher doses of corticosteroids suggesting synergistic effects on the inflammatory process. The understanding of the molecular modes of action of these two classes of drugs explained part of the enhanced anti-inflammatory activity of the combination therapy. However, the production of cysteinyl-leukotrienes is not well controlled by corticosteroids. Anti-leukotrienes, by the blockade of the effects of cysteinyl-leukotrienes, exert therefore a complementary anti-inflammatory action.