[New developments in the field of bronchospasmolytics].

Bronchial obstruction is mainly treated by bronchospasmolytics. They have different sites of action and work either by stimulating the beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-sympathicomimetics), by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase (theophylline-derivatives) or by blocking the cholinergic receptors (anticholinergica). Beta-sympathicomimetics do not only act via the beta-receptors but also by inhibiting the degranulation of the mast cells and thus preventing the liberation of spasmogenic substances. A very promising development is ipratropium bromide, an anticholinergic with a spasmolytic effect as pronounced as that of a beta2-adrenergic substance but with hardly any adverse side-effect. Glucocorticoids which are highly effective in bronchial asthma were shown to have also an "permissive effect" towards beta-sympathicomimetics.