Paf Platelets And Asthma

Bronchial asthma is a disease with many unsolved problems and despite an increased availabili ty of anti-asthma drugs, morbidi ty and mortality from this disease are not improving. It is now recognized that asthma should be considered as a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung resulting in bronchial hyperreactivity and subsequent symptoms. The mechanisms underlying airways inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity have now become a focal point of research in the quest for knowledge about how the management of this disease can be improved. Platelet activating factor (PAF-acether AGEPC) is a naturally occurring ether-linked phospholipid discovered in 1972 associated with IgE mediated allergic responses which has potent effects on platelet activation. PAF is now recognized as a molecule having a diverse range of biological effects relevant to allergic inflammation and asthma including the abili ty to induce long lasting airway inflammation and associated increases in bronchial reactivity. Certain activities of PAF are known to be secondary to platelets activation raising the possibility that this blood element plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Bronchial asthma is a disease with many unsolved problems and despite an increased availabili ty of anti-asthma drugs, morbidi ty and mortality from this disease are not improving. It is now recognized that asthma should be considered as a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung resulting in bronchial hyperreactivity and subsequent symptoms. The mechanisms underlying airways inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity have now become a focal point of research in the quest for knowledge about how the management of this disease can be improved. Platelet activating factor (PAF-acether AGEPC) is a naturally occurring ether-linked phospholipid discovered in 1972 associated with IgE mediated allergic responses which has potent effects on platelet activation. PAF is now recognized as a molecule having a diverse range of biological effects relevant to allergic inflammation and asthma including the abili ty to induce long lasting airway inflammation and associated increases in bronchial reactivity. Certain activities of PAF are known to be secondary to platelets activation raising the possibility that this blood element plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Inflammatory Cells and Mediators in Bronchial Asthma provides reviews and summaries regarding state-of-the-art articles that examine the role of various inflammatory cells and their mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma. Topics include pharmacological and biochemical regulation of the airways; involvement of key inflammatory cells and the release and effect of their mediators in airway function; and the characteristics of receptors for leukotriene B4, C4, and D4, adenosine, platelet-activating factor, sensory and inflammatory peptides, and the effect of various anti-asthmatic drugs on airway inflammation. Physicians, allergists, immunologists, and pulmonary disease research scientists will find this book to be an invaluable reference resource.

This volume of The Enzymes summarizes the most important discoveries associated with a group of enzymes that play an important role in normal biological processes as presented and discussed by leaders authorities in the field. Contributions from leading authorities Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field of enzymes

Platelets have become an important research target for clinicians and basic scientists in a range of medical disciplines. This book reviews current science and applications in fields including thrombosis and hemostasis, signal transduction, and non-thrombotic conditions such as inflammation, allergy and tumor metastasis. It is a detailed, up-to-date, highly referenced text for clinical scientists and physicians, including recent developments in this rapidly expanding field. It will be an essential reference for biomedical scientists and clinicians in hematology, vascular medicine, cardiology, thrombosis and related disciplines.

Bronchial asthma is a disease with many unsolved problems and despite an increased availabili ty of anti-asthma drugs, morbidi ty and mortality from this disease are not improving. It is now recognized that asthma should be considered as a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung resulting in bronchial hyperreactivity and subsequent symptoms. The mechanisms underlying airways inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity have now become a focal point of research in the quest for knowledge about how the management of this disease can be improved. Platelet activating factor (PAF-acether AGEPC) is a naturally occurring ether-linked phospholipid discovered in 1972 associated with IgE mediated allergic responses which has potent effects on platelet activation. PAF is now recognized as a molecule having a diverse range of biological effects relevant to allergic inflammation and asthma including the abili ty to induce long lasting airway inflammation and associated increases in bronchial reactivity. Certain activities of PAF are known to be secondary to platelets activation raising the possibility that this blood element plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

This important publication presents new information regarding "Late Phase Allergic (or Inflammatory) Reactions" (LPR). It includes present knowledge on the pathogenesis of LPR in human skin, nose, bronchi, and other organ systems. The book discusses the roles of antibodies, mediators, and cells as well as animal models of LPR. It describes the importance of LPR in the pathogenesis of chronic disease and the possibilities of their pharmacological modulation. The authors discuss clinical conclusions to be drawn from the observation of LPR, such as continuous treatment and immunotherapy. This volume is a useful reference for scientists and clinicians wishing to understand more about the problems of their allergic patients.