Chung K F
Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital London.
Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1992 Feb 29;122(9):288-93.
Chronic persistent infiltration of the airway submucosa by inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and lymphocytes is a hallmark of asthma, and may result in airway damage, bronchial obstruction and hyperresponsiveness. Genetic and environmental factors may predispose towards the development of this chronic submucosal airway inflammation. Priming of inflammatory cells by cytokines and growth factors, and release of mediators such as leukotrienes may be important mechanisms by which inflammation results in bronchial obstruction and hyperresponsiveness. The prime aim of asthma management is to prevent and dampen the inflammatory mechanisms, and corticosteroid therapy, which is most effective in the treatment of asthma, may act at several levels of the submucosal inflammatory process.
嗜酸性粒细胞和淋巴细胞等炎症细胞对气道黏膜下层的慢性持续性浸润是哮喘的一个标志，可能导致气道损伤、支气管阻塞和高反应性。遗传和环境因素可能易引发这种慢性黏膜下气道炎症的发展。细胞因子和生长因子对炎症细胞的启动以及白三烯等介质的释放可能是炎症导致支气管阻塞和高反应性的重要机制。哮喘管理的主要目标是预防和抑制炎症机制，而皮质类固醇疗法在哮喘治疗中最为有效，可能作用于黏膜下炎症过程的多个层面。
