Asthma early asthmatic response

Inhaled Allergen Challenge as a Model of Asthma 2.3.I Mast Cells and the Early Asthmatic Response... 

Mast cells release histamines, leukotrienes and other mediators of the inflammatory process. Mast cell stabilizer drugs inhibit the early asthmatic response and the late asthmatic response. They have no bronchodilator effect nor do they have any effect on any inflammatory mediators already released in the body. They are indicated for the prevention of bronchospasms and bronchial asthma attacks. They are administered by aerosol inhalation. The exact action of the drugs have not been determined. However, they are believed to have a modest effect in lowering the required dose of corticosteroids. The most common mast stabilizer dmgs are cromolyn (Intal) and nedocromil (Tilade). 

Challenge of sensitized subjects with inhaled allergen has been a vital experimental approach in asthma research since the first bronchoprovocation studies were performed by Max Samter in Berlin in 1933. Allergen inhalation results in an early bronchoconstrictor ( asthmatic ) response (EAR) at 5 to 10 minutes lasting up to an hour and, in about half of subjects, a late bronchoconstrictor response (LAR) starting at 2 to 3 hours and lasting for 12 to 24 hours (Pepys, 1973). 

The exacerbation of asthmatic responses is most frequently caused by a pulmonary viral infection, such as influenza, rhino, or adenovirus infections (81-89). Recent data has indicated that rhinoviral infections are the most common cause of severe asthma exacerbations. In addition to exacerbating asthmatic responses, severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections early in childhood appears... 

Diamant, Z., Timmers, M. C., van, d,V., Page, C. P., van der Meet, F. J., and Sterk, P. J. (1996). Effect of inhaled heparin on allergen-induced early and late asthmatic responses in patients with atopic asthma. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care. Med. 153, 1790-1795. 

Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody that inhibits binding of IgE to receptors on mast cells and basophils, resulting in the inhibition of mediator release and attenuation of the early- and late-phase allergic response. It may be a treatment option for moderate to severe persistent asthmatics 12 years of age or older whose asthma is not controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and who have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to perennial allergens.37 Omalizumab significantly decreases inhaled corticosteroid use, number and length of exacerbations, and increases asthma-related quality of life.37... 

Studies of omalizumab in asthmatic volunteers showed that its administration over 10 weeks lowered plasma IgE to undetectable levels and significantly reduced the magnitude of both the early and the late bronchospastic responses to antigen challenge. Clinical trials have shown repeated intravenous or subcutaneous injection of anti-IgE MAb to lessen asthma severity and reduce the corticosteroid requirement in patients with moderate to severe disease, especially those with a clear environmental antigen precipitating factor, and to improve nasal and conjunctival symptoms in patients with perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis. 

Twentyman, OP, Firmerty IP, Holgate ST. The inhibitory effect of nebulized albuterol on the early and late asthmatic reactions and increase in airway responsiveness provoked by inhaled allergen in asthma. Am Rev Respir Dis 1991 144 782-787. 

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