Asthma patients could stop wheezing thanks to worm spit
Protein secreted by hookworms helps block immune responses associated with asthma in mice

A bloodsucking parasitic worm that latches onto the lining of our gut doesn’t sound like a helpful organism. But a new study suggests that the spit from such a parasite could inspire treatments for inflammatory diseases such as asthma.
An international team of researchers report that a protein secreted by hookworms reduces inflammation in the lungs of asthmatic mice (Sci. Transl. Med. 2016, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf8807). The protein works not by suppressing the mouse’s entire immune system, but by regulating only certain immune cells involved in allergic responses. This feat suggests that the molecule could lead to relatively safe therapeutics.....

Read more here: cen.acs.org

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Add-On Tiotropium Respimat Helps Pre-School Kids With Persistent Asthma: Presented at AAP

SAN FRANCISCO -- October 265, 2016 -- New data presented here at the 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition shows that once-daily tiotropium Respimat safely reduces flares in pre-school children with symptomatic persistent asthma when added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with or without further maintenance therapy.
The results from the phase 2/3 study in patients aged 1 to 5 years with a =6-month documented history of asthma at enrolment were reported by Mark Vandewalker, MD, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues.....

Read more here: firstwordpharma.com

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Is Yoga Effective for Treating Asthma?

Three hundred million people worldwide suffer from asthma, and unfortunately this number continues to rise. Pathophysiologically, asthma is a disease of the airways, but in reality the effects of asthma extend far beyond the lungs and negatively affect quality of life.
It is biologically plausible that the ancient Indian practice of yoga could offer some relief for the physical and psychological effects of asthma. It is oversimplistic to refer to yoga as a single entity, given that there are more than 40 different types of yoga.....

Read more here: ahcmedia.com