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Related Concept Videos

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines01:15

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma 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...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists01:20

Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists

Muscarinic receptor antagonists, also known as antimuscarinic agents, are a class of bronchodilators used to treat asthma, although they are more commonly used to treat COPD. They work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter, on muscarinic receptors found in the airways.
Antimuscarinic agents compete with ACh for the same binding site on the muscarinic receptors. By binding to these receptors, they inhibit the downstream effects of ACh and block the parasympathetic...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
08:05

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma

Published on: May 14, 2012

Antihistamines in asthma.

S T Holgate1, J P Finnerty

  • 1Immunopharmacology Group, Southampton General Hospital, England.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|February 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Histamine plays a key role in asthma by triggering airway hyperresponsiveness through mast cell activation. New H1 receptor antagonists show promise in treating asthma by blocking histamine effects and potentially inhibiting chronic inflammatory processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma is linked to airway inflammation.
  • Spasmogenic mediators, like histamine, released by activated mast cells, significantly impact asthma.
  • Histamine is a key mediator in naturally occurring and allergen-induced asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate antihistamine therapy in asthma.
  • To investigate the role of H1 receptor antagonists in managing asthma symptoms.
  • To explore the potential of novel antihistamines beyond H1-receptor blockade.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory mediators.
  • Analysis of studies involving histamine release and mast cell activation in asthma.
  • Evaluation of clinical data on the efficacy of H1 receptor antagonists (e.g., terfenadine, azelastine, ketotifen, cetirizine).

Main Results:

  • Histamine release from activated mast cells contributes to asthma pathophysiology.
  • Potent H1 receptor antagonists inhibit early bronchoconstriction and late-phase asthmatic responses.
  • Some new antihistamines may offer benefits beyond H1 blockade by affecting chronic cellular events.

Conclusions:

  • Antihistamine therapy, particularly with selective H1 receptor antagonists, is a viable approach for asthma management.
  • Novel antihistamines demonstrate potential in mitigating both acute and chronic inflammatory aspects of asthma.
  • Further research into the broader cellular effects of antihistamines is warranted for comprehensive asthma treatment.