Tag Archives: asthma

Monthly Injections May Replace Daily Steroid Medications for Severe Asthma

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Severe, poorly controlled asthma might increasingly be managed with monthly injections

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Individuals suffering from severe asthma often depend on daily steroid medications, raising their likelihood of diabetes, infections, and bone issues. A new study indicates that monthly antibody injections could serve as a safer alternative.

When asthma is unmanageable with an inhaler, steroid drugs are commonly used, effectively decreasing airway inflammation and alleviating symptoms alongside the risk of asthma attacks. However, these medications can lead to serious side effects. “We aim to minimize the usage of oral steroids,” says Fan Chun from Imperial College London, who was not part of the research.

Previous studies demonstrated that tezepelumab, a monthly antibody injection, reduces the symptoms of severe asthma more effectively than a placebo. This has led to its approval in several countries, including the UK and the US, over recent years. However, it remained uncertain whether this treatment could lessen or eliminate the reliance on steroid drugs.

To investigate this, David Jackson and his colleagues at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London recruited 298 individuals aged 18 to 80 with severe asthma from 11 countries. Participants were already using daily inhalers and steroids and were asked to take tezepelumab for one year. Chung noted that a control group wasn’t necessary since prior trials established that the injection had a significant effect compared to a placebo.

Researchers observed that, under medical supervision, participants’ oral steroid doses gradually decreased throughout the study.

By the end of the year, around half of the participants no longer required steroid medication, while 40% were able to reduce their doses enough to “minimize side effects,” according to Chung. “This outcome is highly successful,” he stated. “The trial confirms that tezepelumab is an effective treatment for patients with severe asthma, decreasing the need for daily medications.”

Side effects, such as worsening asthma symptoms, were reported by 9% of participants. However, it is unclear if these were due to the injection or existed beforehand, Chong explained. Nonetheless, he considers the rate acceptable given the advantages of reducing steroid use.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

2-Inch Inhaler Lowers Asthma Attacks in Young Children

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Combination Asthma Inhalers are likely the best treatment choice for individuals of all ages

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Inhalers, providing both immediate and long-term relief, are already the standard treatment for mild asthma among individuals over 12 in the UK, US, and other regions. A recent study involving nearly 400 children in New Zealand indicates these inhalers are even more effective for younger kids, nearly halving the number of asthma attacks.

Team members have stated that whether these findings will prompt changes in national and international guidelines remains uncertain. Andy Bush from Imperial College London asserts that the evidence is compelling. “If you’re a child with asthma, I have those combinations,” he remarks.

The traditional treatment for mild asthma involved an inhaler containing salbutamol, which relaxes airway muscles for about 3-4 hours. These “rescue” inhalers were to be used as needed.

If the rescue inhaler was inadequate, patients were provided with a separate inhaler containing steroids that help reduce inflammation caused by asthma. These “preventive” inhalers required regular usage to ensure protective benefits. Bush comments, “Previously, I had to take inhaled steroids twice a day for them to work, but it’s now evident that’s not always necessary.”

Studies involving teenagers and adults have indicated that combination inhalers outperform the previous treatment method, even when used on an as-needed basis. The steroids found in these combination inhalers are budesonide, while the reliever is formoterol, which acts similarly to salbutamol but lasts for 12 hours.

Concerns regarding the use of combination inhalers by children have emerged due to potential growth effects from steroid components; however, the latest research showed no negative impact during the trial period. The study involved 360 children randomly assigned to use either budesonide-fluticasone or steroid fluticasone twice daily, with additional relief administered as required during severe asthma episodes.

In other studies, the use of combination inhalers led to a decrease in overall steroid intake, according to Bush. This is because using the inhalers on an as-needed basis causes the dosage of inhaled steroids to adapt according to symptom severity. Fewer attacks mean fewer individuals need to “step up” to the combination inhaler two times daily or rely on steroid pills.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Asthma Medications Can Safeguard Against Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions

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Stephanie Eisenbarth and Adam Williams prepare peanuts for allergy research in their lab

Northwestern University

Research indicates that common asthma treatments may offer protection against anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. The drug Zileuton, traditionally used for asthma, is now being considered for individuals facing serious food allergies.

Despite the prevalence of food allergies, it can be challenging to foresee the risk of anaphylaxis for an individual. Scientists are investigating why some individuals with positive food allergen tests do not show symptoms, while others have severe, potentially deadly reactions.

“Our aim is to discover methods to help individuals with symptomatic food allergies manage their reactions to allergens,” states Stephanie Eisenbarth from Northwestern University, Illinois.

Eisenbarth and her research team anticipated that mice exposed to peanuts would experience anaphylaxis. They administered a single oral dose of Zileuton to a group of 5-10 mice sensitized to peanut allergens approximately one hour prior to feeding them peanut extract. The control group did not receive any medication. Observations revealed that almost all Zileuton-treated mice showed no symptoms of anaphylaxis, whereas the control group exhibited clear signs of it.

Most dietary proteins are usually broken down, but some can be actively absorbed through the intestines and enter the bloodstream directly. In individuals with severe allergies, these proteins can trigger immune responses, leading to anaphylaxis.

During allergic reactions, the body releases chemicals known as leukotrienes. The researchers found that leukotrienes play a role in the number of intact proteins that penetrate the intestine. They also identified a gene called DPEP1 that is crucial in regulating leukotriene levels.

One significant action of Zileuton is inhibiting the enzyme five lipoxygenase, essential for leukotriene production. Administering this drug to mice lowered leukotriene levels, while DPEP1 also suppressed remaining leukotrienes, preventing allergen absorption and halting anaphylaxis in susceptible mice. A single dose of Zileuton cut the anaphylaxis rate by 95%.

“We can differentiate between mice that respond to food allergens and those that do not. We are now evaluating whether the same asthma medications can limit allergen absorption in the intestines of people with food allergies.”

Jorge Emiliano Gomez Medellin from the University of Chicago suggests that these straightforward tablets might significantly alleviate the consequences of accidental allergen exposure. He added that while Zileuton could potentially inhibit the absorption of food allergens, it won’t alter an individual’s underlying sensitivity over time.

“Nonetheless, Zileuton could be a valuable tool in combating food allergies,” he concludes.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Teens’ asthma risk may be heightened by E-cigarettes

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A Texas A&M University study shows that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma in young nonsmokers, identifies associated risk factors, and calls for public health measures to reduce e-cigarette use among young people. There is.

This study highlights the urgent need to develop approaches to address the rising prevalence of e-cigarette uptake and its negative health effects.

A recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that e-cigarettes may increase the risk of asthma in young people who do not smoke traditional tobacco products.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past few years. Although e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, they still contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals that increase the risk of respiratory illness.

Research results on e-cigarettes and asthma

In this new study published in preventive medicine, researchers analyzed data from a national survey of young people to determine whether there was a link between e-cigarettes and asthma. Researchers also sought to identify factors that may be associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents.

The research team used data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a national health dataset set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track health behaviors and outcomes in children and youth. The study used data collected between 2015 and 2019, including information on e-cigarette use. The analysis included data from more than 3,000 youth ages 13 to 17 in Texas and more than 32,000 youth in the United States for comparison.

The survey asked respondents whether they had ever used e-cigarettes, how many days in the past 30 days they had used e-cigarettes, and whether a health care professional had ever told them they had asthma. The study includes information on respondents’ gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and presence or absence of symptoms of depression. The analysis also includes data on the use of other substances, including traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Correlation and risk factors

This study confirmed the association between e-cigarette use and asthma in young people who have never smoked traditional tobacco products. This indicates that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma independently of the use of traditional tobacco products in young people.

Researchers also found evidence that some demographic factors, behaviors associated with drug use, and the presence of depressive symptoms were associated with e-cigarette use. Young people who used traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances were more likely to use e-cigarettes, as were depressed subjects.

Additionally, Hispanic youth in Texas were significantly less likely to have used e-cigarettes than non-Hispanic white youth. However, researchers found that there were no notable differences between races and ethnicities in the United States as a whole. Further research is needed to identify factors that may be associated with decreased e-cigarette use among Hispanic youth in Texas.

Recommendations and conclusions

“Increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use, introducing stricter regulations, and promoting alternative coping mechanisms for mental health are potential interventions to reduce e-cigarette use.” “Yes,” said Dr. Taehyung Lo, lead author of the study.

Given the burden of asthma and the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents, researchers hope these findings will help inform public health efforts to reduce e-cigarette use. ing.

Reference: “The Association between E-Cigarette Use and Asthma in U.S. Youth: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2015-2019,” by Taehyun Roh, Kido Uyamasi, Anisha Aggarwal, Alexander Obeng, and Jenny Carrillo, September 2023. Four days, preventive medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107695

Source: scitechdaily.com