Chronic inflammatory diseases

The classic example of an antiinflammatory dmg is aspirin [50-78-2], acetosahcyflc acid, an effective analgesic for many years. It is well tolerated by the dog and the horse, but is relatively toxic to cats. Under the proper clinical circumstances, it can be used for prolonged therapy in chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Rimadyl is presently used. 

This includes bronchial asthma, autoimmune, and chronic inflammatory diseases. 

Rheumatoid arthritis represents a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints. About 1% of the population in Germany suffers from this disease. Primarily the synovial membranes of the jounts are affected, however, the disease can also reach other organs such as the pleura, pericardium organ and skin blood vessels. The inflamed... 

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore steroids represent the most important and most frequently used medication. Already after the fust treatment, steroids reduce cellular infiltration, inflammation, and the LAR, whereas changes in the EAR require prolonged treatment to lower the existent IgE levels. The mechanisms of steroid actions are complex and only incompletely understood. Besides their general antiinflammatory properties (see chapter glucocorticoids), the reduction of IL-4 and IL-5 production from T-lymphocytes is particularly important for asthma therapy. The introduction of inhaled steroids, which have dramatically limited side effects of steroids, is considered one of the most important advancements in asthma therapy. Inhaled steroids (beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, triamcinolone, momethasone) are used in mild, moderate, and partially also in severe asthma oral steroids are used only in severe asthma and the treatment of status asthmaticus. Minor side effects of most inhaled steroids are hoarseness and candidasis, which are avoided by the prodrug steroid ciclesonide. 

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease that results from prolonged and repeated inhalation of particles and gases, chronic (or latent) infection or an interaction of these factors. In many cases, the inflammation persists even when the exposure (in most cases smoking) is stopped. Prominent among the infiltrating leukocytes are neutrophils, CD8+ lymphocytes (Co-receptor for the T-cell receptor. CD8+ is specific for the class IMHC protein. It is expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells.) and CD68+ monocytic cells (A lysosomal antigen. All cells that rich in... 

Usually, it takes years of toxin exposure to cause the pathological alterations seen in COPD. In most cases, the disease is already well-progressed when COPD is diagnosed. Reversal of established chronic inflammatory disease is always extremely difficult to achieve and at present healing of COPD is impossible. Smoking cessation is the single most effective and cost-effective... 

Immune defense mechanisms can become deleterious for an individual when they are not controlled properly. Then they can cause disease. In such situations therapy is aimed to dampen immune reactions. Important examples are sqttic shock, allergy, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the success of organ transplantation... 

Indications for the clinical use of immunosuppressive drugs are transplantation, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions. 

In the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, colitis ulcerosa, Morbus Crohn, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis) autoimmune processes play an important role, too. Although first of all nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents or glucocorticoids should be applied, immunosuppressive agents may also be indicated. 

Allergic reactions (especially those of type IV) can lead to disorders which resemble autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases. If an immediate elimination of the antigen is not feasible, immunosuppressive drugs can represent a reasonable addendum. 

The interleukin-1 (EL-1) family of proteins currently comprises IL-1 a, IL-1 (3, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). The biological activities of EL-1 are shared by IL-1 a and IL-1 (3, whereas IL-1RA is a true receptor antagonist. IL-1 is a key player in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Whether IL-1 has a role in normal physiology is still unresolved. IL-1 can... 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology with some autoimmune features. Current thinking favours the hypothesis that interplay between genetic factors, sex hormones, and possibly an infectious agent or another immune activating agent initiates an autoimmune pathogenic mechanism that culminates in a disease with inflammatory and destructive features. 

Human chronic inflammatory diseases are characterized by populations of cells with altered regulation and function. A large body of evidence suggests that many of these cellular abnormalities may be linked to an increase in the production of free radicals and/or deficiencies of antioxidant defence systems. Oxygen free radicals attack cell structures, altering their function, and are cytotoxic. They have therefore been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis as well as many other human diseases (HaUiwell, 1991). 

This is a chronic inflammatory disease, which can affect the gut as well as other organs. There is relatively little information on the role of free radicals in this condition. Neutrophil chemiluminescence was increased in patients with intestinal Behcet s compared to normal controls (Suematsu et al., 1987a) and there is some evidence for endothelial injury by neutrophil-derived oxidants (Niwa et al., 1982). Preliminary studies with lip)osomal-encapsulated SOD demonstrated marked improvement in 12 out of 16 pjatients wdth active Behcet s disease (Niwa etal., 1985). 

Another interesting observation is that exposure of DNA to OH can render the DNA antigenic, an observation perhaps relevant to the formation of anti-DNA antibodies in some human chronic inflammatory diseases (Blount etal., 1992 Alam etal., 1993). 

Acid-base imbalance Acute liver failure Amphetamines Anaphylaxis Autoimmune diseases Cholestasis Chronic inflammatory diseases... 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1% of the US population, or 3 million people (1-3). Although women are 2.5 times more likely to get RA than men, some studies suggest the disease tends to be more severe in men. RA can affect people of all ages, but prevalence increases with age, approaching 5% in women over 55 years of age (1-3). RA is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by synovial inflammation and hyperplasia, neovascularization, and progressive destruction of cartilage and bone (1,4,5). The cause(s) of RA remains poorly... 

Aloisi F, Pujol-Borrell R. Lymphoid neogenesis in chronic inflammatory diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2006 6(3) 205-217. 

Haringman JJ, Kraan MC, Smeets TJ, Zwinderman KH, Tak PP. Chemokine blockade and chronic inflammatory disease proof of concept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2003 62(8) 715-721. 

Taha AS, Grant V, Kelly RW. Urinalysis for interleukin-8 in the non-invasive diagnosis of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Postgrad Med J 2003 79(929) 159-163. 

Poulter LW and Janossy G. 1985. The involvement of dendritic cells in chronic inflammatory disease. ScandJ Immunol 21 401—411. 

Bronchial asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs it affects an estimated 9 to 12 million individuals in the U.S. Furthermore, its prevalence has been increasing in recent years. Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction (in particular, bronchospasm), airway inflammation, and increased airway responsiveness to a variety of bronchoactive stimuli. Many factors may induce an asthmatic attack, including allergens respiratory infections hyperventilation cold air exercise various drugs and chemicals emotional upset and airborne pollutants (smog, cigarette smoke). 

In addition to their beneficial effects, some medications may actually cause cellular injury and disease. An example of this phenomenon involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These drugs include aspirin (a derivative of salicylic acid), ibuprofen (arylpropionic acid, Advil ), and acetaminophen (para-aminophenol derivative, Tylenol ). Because of their beneficial pharmacological effects, consumption of these agents has increased significantly in recent years. NSAIDS have the ability to treat fever, pain, acute inflammation, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. They are also used prophylactically to prevent heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer. 

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent exacerbations and remissions of thickened, erythematous, and scaling plaques. 

Endocrine abnormalities Hypothyroidism Adrenal insufficiency Pituitary insufficiency Chronic renal disease Chronic inflammatory disease Granulomatous diseases Collagen vascular diseases Hepatic disease... 

Over the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the popularity and usage of natural products to enhance overall health. These nutraceuticals and functional foods modulate the function of various physiological systems including the immune system. By altering immunity, it is possible to augment an individual s ability to ward off infection, or suppress autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory diseases. Thus, the renaissance of herbal extracts as well as the increased consumption of other dietary components has afforded the public a relatively inexpensive way to self-medicate. 

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