Pharmacological modulation of mediator release: therapeutic significance?

The therapeutic significance of modulation of mediator release with drugs like DSCG, beta-agonists, xanthine derivatives, anti-histamines and glucocorticosteroids is not yet fully known. There is ample evidence that DSCG operates via mechanisms other than, or in addition to, mast cell stabilization. The main clinical usefulness of beta-agonists seems to be related to bronchodilatation, probably in combination with other effects. This may also be the case with xanthine derivatives. The role of anti-histamines in asthma generally is still under evaluation. Finally, corticosteroids may exert a large part of their clinical effect by modulating the arachidonic acid cascade. However, this is not yet clinically proven.