Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Recovery from bronchoconstriction and bronchodilator tolerance.
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|November 7, 2006
Summary
Regular use of beta-agonists for asthma can lead to tolerance, diminishing their effectiveness. This tolerance impacts rescue treatments, especially in severe bronchoconstriction, highlighting a potential issue in asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Previously, tolerance to beta-agonists was not recognized.
- Recent research indicates impaired beta-agonist response in patients using regular treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of tolerance to beta-agonist bronchodilators.
- To understand the development and characteristics of this tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Studies examined recovery from various forms of bronchoconstriction.
- Beta-agonist response was assessed in patients with regular beta-agonist use.
Main Results:
- Tolerance develops rapidly (within 1 week) with both short- and long-acting beta-agonists.
- Reduced bronchodilator response is proportional to bronchoconstriction severity.
- Inhaled steroid treatment does not affect tolerance development.
Conclusions:
- Beta-agonist tolerance is evident in most asthmatics, particularly those with severe bronchospasm.
- Reduced response to rescue beta-agonist treatment is observed in regular users.
- The clinical impact on asthma morbidity and mortality requires further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.