COPD Treatment Studies for Breathing Problems
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Bronchitis & Emphysema
Sep 17, 2009
Medical research to help develop a more effective bronchodilator for treatment of COPD shows promise. The Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military University, Shanxi, China published, on the PubMed web site, the results of a medical study on rats titled, “Effects of 7-Nitroindazole On Smoke Inhalation Pulmonary Injury”. The authors of the article, dated April 19,2007, are Liu W, Jin FG, and Qian GS.
The China rat study objective was “To investigate effects of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor...on smoke inhalation pulmonary injury in rats.” Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase is an enzyme aiding communication with the immune system and for dilating blood vessels, according to the Farlex Medical Dictionary on-line. The dictionary states that an enzyme is a protein that triggers chemical reactions.
The method of the China rat study was to divide 40 rats into three groups; a control group, smoke inhalation model group, and a treatment group. After administering a nNos combination (7-NI), the groups were studied for lung water content and pulmonary tissue changes.
The study results concluded that the nNOS combination (7-NI) “...shows a good protective effect on smoke inhalation pulmonary injury...” The study reported that the positive acute phase proteins (PaO(2)) were raised in response to lung inflammation, and oxidation ability improved. The results also showed a lowering of lung fluid and reduction of inflammation in pulmonary tissue.
How is COPD Defined
“COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe...damage to the lungs over many years, usually from smoking, “ according to an article titled, “COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - Overview.” The (author unknown) article, updated May 08, 2008, is published on the WebMD site.
COPD is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, according to the article.
Bronchitis Symptoms
According to the WebMD article bronchitis symptoms relate to breathing problems. When the bronchial tubes become inflamed, the result causes narrowing, blockage, or both. The symptoms, similar to asthma, are difficulty in exhaling, inhaling, or a combination of both.
Emphysema Symptoms & Facts
“In a healthy person, the tiny air sacs in the lungs are like balloons...get bigger and smaller...to move air through lungs...” according to the WebMd article. Emphysema damages the sacs in the lungs and they “lose their stretch...” When sac damage occurs the symptom produced is shortness of breath, according to the article.
The WebMd article states “...COPD gets worse over time...can’t undo the damage to lungs.” The article says that treatment can prevent more damage.
Tiotropium is a commonly used medicine in anticholinergic bronchodilators. According to the Farlex Medical Dictionary on-line Tiotropium can relax bronchial muscles. A tiotropium bromide (INN) inhaler is marketed by the drug firms Boebringer-Ingelheim and Pfizer under the trade name Spiriva.
According to the China medical study, the Farlex Medical Dictionary, and WebMD, COPD is usually caused by smoke inhalation. Medical studies are being conducted to find a better treatment for COPD by improving relaxation of broncial muscles and improving damaged lung sacs.
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