Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Circadian variation in airway function.

The American Journal of Medicine

|December 20, 1985

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Nocturnal asthma, or nighttime wheezing, is often caused by circadian rhythms. In asthmatics, these natural body rhythms amplify airway constriction, leading to severe bronchospasm during sleep.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Glucocorticoid resistance in asthma.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·1995

Same author

Abnormal glucocorticoid receptor-activator protein 1 interaction in steroid-resistant asthma.

The Journal of experimental medicine·1995

Same author

Inhibition of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha expression by IL-10. Differential sensitivities in human blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·1995

Same author

Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha generation from human peripheral blood monocytes by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4: interaction with stimulants of adenylyl cyclase.

Molecular pharmacology·1995

Same author

Corticosteroid inhibition of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha in human monocytes and alveolar macrophages.

The American journal of physiology·1995

Same author

Cytokine expression in normal, atopic, and asthmatic subjects using the combination of sputum induction and the polymerase chain reaction.

Thorax·1995

Same journal

Mineralocorticoid Antagonists for Post-MI HFpEF: Plausible Biology Meets Low Residual Risk?

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same journal

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Age-related Macular Degeneration Risk in Diabetes or Non-diabetic Obesity: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same journal

Marijuana Use and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Mechanistic Insights, Clinical Implications, and Emerging Challenges.

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same journal

Cave Canem - Beware of the Dog.

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same journal

Risk Factors for 30-day Hospital Readmission After Hospital-at-Home Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis.

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same journal

Mesenteric panniculitis.

The American journal of medicine·2026

See all related articles

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Sleep Medicine
Chronobiology

Background:

Nocturnal asthma is a frequent and disruptive symptom.
Previous explanations like allergens or reflux are insufficient.
Circadian variations in airway caliber are observed in normal subjects.

Purpose of the Study:

To explain the mechanisms behind nocturnal asthma.
To investigate the role of circadian rhythms in nighttime wheezing.

Main Methods:

Review of proposed mechanisms for nocturnal asthma.
Analysis of circadian variations in airway caliber.
Examination of hormonal and autonomic influences during sleep.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

Asthmatic subjects exhibit a greater amplitude of circadian airway caliber variation.

Decreased nighttime epinephrine levels may reduce defenses against bronchoconstriction.

Increased vagal activity and falling cortisol levels may also contribute.

Conclusions:

Nocturnal asthma results from a complex interplay of circadian rhythms.
These rhythms magnify airway constrictor effects in asthmatics, causing severe bronchospasm.
Understanding circadian influences is key to managing nighttime asthma symptoms.