[Calcium inhibitors in asthma]

Calcium ions are involved in many activities of cells, especially muscle contraction, mediator release and enzyme activities. It has been suggested that regulation of the cellular calcium could be important in the pathogenesis of asthma. In several studies, the efficiency of calcium antagonists on basophil degranulation and on asthma that is induced by pharmacological drugs (histamine, metacholine) or by exercise or allergens, has been investigated. A few studies on long-term treatment of asthma with calcium antagonists have been published. It seems that there is a place for the use of calcium inhibitors in the treatment of asthma, but it remains to fix the dosages and routes of administration and to identify the most effective products.