Chapter 9. Pulmonary and Antiallergy Agents

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the development of pulmonary and antiallergy agents. Biochemical studies of human pulmonary connective tissue showed alterations in protein content in emphysematous lungs as compared to non-diseased tissue. Among the multiple processes involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, partial blockade of the β-adrenergic receptor has been suggested as an etiologic factor. A study of diethylcarbamazine in intractable steroid-dependent asthmatics indicated symptomatic relief in daily oral doses of 10 mg/kg. This dosage exceeds that suggested for the chemotherapy of filariasis. Epinephrine and isoproterenol serve as prototypes for sympathomimetic bronchodilators. The object of laboratory and clinical efforts in seeking new 6-adrenergic stimulant drugs has been to obtain a bronchodilator, which will act longer, have reduced cardiovascular side effects, and be orally effective. Metaproterenol, the 3,5-dihydroxy positional isomer of isoproterenol, continues to be reported as longer acting and more selective than isoproterenol in patients with obstructive lung disease. The observed bronchodilator effect of the xanthine as well as certain sympathomimetic bronchodilator agents may occur without a concomitant improvement in pulmonary arterial oxygenation.