The anti-inflammatory effects of leukotriene-modifying drugs and their usein asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Anti-inflammatory drug therapy, primarily using corticosteroids, is now considered the first- line treatment in the management: of all grades of asthma severity. Althoug h corticosteroids are believed to be the most potent anti-inflammatory agen ts available, they do not suppress all inflammatory mediators involved in t he asthmatic response. Leukotrienes, which are Lipid mediators generated fr om the metabolism of arachidonic acid, play an important role in the pathog enesis of asthma. They produce bronchospasm, increase bronchial hyperrespon siveness, mucus production, and mucosal edema, and enhance airway smooth mu scle cell proliferation and eosinophil recruitment into the airways, and th eir synthesis or release is unaffected by corticosteroid administration. Th e use of leukotriene synthesis inhibitors or leukotriene receptor antagonis ts as anti-inflammatory therapies in asthma has therefore been investigated . Beneficial effects of leukotriene-modifying drugs have been demonstrated in the management of all grades of asthma severity, and there is evidence t hat certain patient groups (such as those with exercise-induced asthma or a spirin induced asthma) may be particularly suitable for such therapy.