Chronic Inflammation Flashcards
Rheumatoid arthritis
Involves joint changes that are driven by an autoimmune reaction
Involves the inflammation and proliferation of the synovium and erosion of cartilage/bone
IL-1 and TNFa play a major role
DMARDs
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
Have a slow onset but are given to limit the progression of rheumatoid arthritis
Gold-based compounds
Used as DMARDs
Effective at inhibiting the immune system
Expensive
Penicillamine / silfasalazine
Used as DMARDs
Inhibit the immune system
Immunosuppressants
More effective as DMARDs
Cytokine mediators
Used as DMARDs
A more selective, subtle treatment
More expensive & given intravenously
Asthma
A chronic allergic disease
Initial phase = occurs within an hour of allergen exposure
Acute bronchospasm
Late phase = occurs 4-8 hours after allergen exposure
Severe & longer-lasting bronchospasm
Early-phase asthma treatment
- B2 agonists = cause bronchodilation
- muscarinic receptor antagonists
- Methylxanthines
- LTC4/D4 antagonists
Late-phase asthma treatment
Should be treated prophylatically by glucocorticoids
Effect may not be seen for several days because they influence gene expression
