Stamina A Novel Prospect In Asthma Management

• ORIGINAL ARTICLE | ISSUE DETAILS: VOL NO.2 | ISSUE NO. 2

Abstract

Background: Current therapy for asthma includes bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs. Inhibition of RhoA/ROCK pathway to control hyperresponsiveness presents a novel area in asthma therapy.

Study Design: Experimental randomized control trial. “To examine the effect of statins on the airway hyperresponsiveness.” Statins are lipid-lowering agents exhibiting pleiotropic effects in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. Several published studies have reported using statins in treating asthma patients, but their results could be more consistent. This study aims to determine whether statins are beneficial for asthma administration and explore the covariables that may affect their clinical effectiveness.

Materials and Maths: Five groups of six similar guinea pigs animals under similar laboratory conditions were selected. The animal model of asthma was reproduced via intraperitoneal ova albumin in all except negative control group 1. These groups were Group I negative control, II positive- control, III atorvastatin treated, IV Simvastatin treated, and V lovastatin treated group. After 28 days, animals were sacrificed. Bronchoalveolar fluid (B.A.L.) analysis was taken, and Smooth muscle contractions in tracheal strips to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine were recorded by isometric transducers using a computerized data recording system. The effects of statins were assessed by comparing concentration-response curves of experimental groups with those of controls. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials from inception to September 2012. Randomized controlled trials (R.C.T.), retrospective studies, and controlled clinical trials that reported the use of statins in the treatment of asthma patients were eligible. Quality evaluation was conducted for R.C.T. using Jadad criteria.

Results: Comparison of B.A.L. of positive control with that of negative confirmed the induction of allergic inflammatory model. The concentration-response curve was significantly shifted upward in positive control compared to negative control (P<0.05).In the case of statin-treated groups, there was a significant downward shift in concentration-response curves compared to positive control, showing inhibition of airways hyperresponsiveness by statins. Significant differences were observed between them and positive control (P<0.05A total of 18 articles were included. Our study found no conclusive evidence to demonstrate that statins could enhance lung function in asthmatics, although they may reduce airway inflammation. The results were inconsistent across studies concerning symptoms, quality of life, maintenance medication, and asthma hospitalization/emergency department (E.D.) visits. The present study demonstrates that statins inhibit hyperresponsiveness in the allergic airway inflammatory model of the guinea pig. Statins may have a therapeutic potential to ameliorate airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic bronchial asthma. Human trials are needed to include these drugs in asthma treatment guidelines