Aclidinium bromide in experimental asthma

Abstract

Underlying inflammation in asthma increases the activity of the cholinergic nervous system, contributing to bronchoconstriction/airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and mucus hypersecretion. Inhaled anticholinergics with shorter duration of action were initially used and then discontinued when other bronchodilators became available. Previous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that tiotropium bromide, a long-acting anticholinergic currently approved for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, might be an effective therapy in asthma. Aclidinium bromide is an inhaled compound in the same class as tiotropium, which is currently being investigated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. In the evaluated study, it was found to reduce AHR and eosinophilic airway inflammation in an acute model of asthma.

Keywords::

• aclidinium bromide
• airways hyper-responsiveness
• experimental asthma
• inflammation
• tiotropium bromide