Airway endothelial dysfunction in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a challenge for future research.

摘要: Endothelial dysfunction in the extrapulmonary circulation has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Recent investigations have revealed that airway circulation, cigarette smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma are also accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. Inhaled glucocorticosteroids can partially or fully restore normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation these conditions, thereby identifying endothelium as a novel therapeutic target treatment of The role defective pathophysiology COPD is still subject speculation. However, there appears be an association between vascular dysfunction, possibility exists use inhaled beneficial effect on suggested database studies showing reduce incidence nonfatal fatal events COPD.