Immune responses, drug blocking

Another class of transcription-modulating drugs is the immunosuppressants such as cyclosporin A (CsA), which inhibit T cell activation and proliferation, events playing a central role in the immune response and therefore in the inflammatory process. CsA blocks transcriptional induction of cytokines by inhibiting the phosphatase calcineurin, and by the subsequent inhibition of the activation of NF-AT and NF-AT-dependent activation genes. 

Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used for the treatment of gout, inhibits metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine and other drugs metabolized by this enzyme. A serious drug interaction results from the concurrent use of allopurinol for gout and 6-mercaptopurine to block the immune response from a tissue transplant or as antimetabolite in neoplastic diseases. In some cases, however, allopurinol is used in conjunction with 6-mercaptopurine to control the increase in uric acid elimination from 6-mercaptopurine metabolism. The patient should be supervised closely, because when given in large doses, allopurinol, an inhibitor of purine metabolism, may have serious effects on bone marrow. 

Glucocorticoids Regulate carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism block inflammation regulate body s immune response Indications Asthma, advance pulmonary tuberculosis, pericarditis, acute and chronic inflammation, adrenal insufficiency, antenatal use in preterm labor, hypercalcemia, cerebral edema, acute SCI, MS, shock Common drug examples ... 

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