[Physiopathology of asthma]

The author reviews some of the physiopathologic aspects of asthma. Airway obstruction is related to several factors which include airway contraction, sub-mucosal edema and mucus hypersecretion. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is related to inflammatory factors which occur at the periphery of the airways. Inflammatory cells include mastocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets. These cells can release inflammatory mediators including metabolites of cyclooxygenase pathway, leukotrienes and PAF. Chronic inflammatory changes can occur and can be explained by the persisting release of inflammatory mediators and abnormalities of cellular activation. Cytokines might be involved in this process as shown by the author's recent findings.