COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2007) Two University of Nottingham studies exploring the causes and treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) could lead to the development of drugs to battle these debilitating conditions.
Though they are different diseases, asthma and COPD affect the human body in a similar way. In asthma, allergens irritate the lungs, in COPD, this is done by cigarette smoke. This irritation inflames the sufferer's airways, which the muscles then close, creating a narrowing effect.
Research done at the University over the past 15 years has found that the muscle layer in the airway is more complex than has traditionally been thought. As well as going into spasm during asthma and COPD attacks the muscle layer produces a wide range of mediators and cytokines proteins that act as chemical signallers when it comes into contact with allergens or cigarette smoke. In asthma and COPD sufferers, these proteins are produced by stimulation of airway muscle cell walls in the lungs, releasing intracellular signalling proteins called 'transcription factors' which alter the DNA of the cell and activate messenger RNA. It is these 'transcription factors' which activate the inflammation by causing release of mediators and cytokines.
The activation status of these transcription factors is determined by the balance between two competing groups of enzymes called histone acetyl transferase (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). In asthma and COPD sufferers the balance is altered so that the HATs are activated and HDACs suppressed with the result that inflammation is switched on. The investigators at the University think that if the balance could be restored by inactivating HATs then the mediators and cytokines will be switched off and inflammation dampened down.
By exploring plant extracts that may reduce the activation of HATs within airway cells, the researchers may isolate compounds that could be used to suppress inflammation in respiratory disease. Any drug successfully synthesised from such compounds could potentially revolutionise the treatment of respiratory disease. There is also the potential to treat other inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Professor Alan Knox, of the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University, said: The majority of people with asthma have access to reasonably good anti-inflammatory treatments that can keep their conditions under control. But up to 20 per cent of sufferers don't respond well to the treatments currently available. And when it comes to COPD, anti-inflammatory drugs aren't very effective.
By tracking the process which triggers the inflammation and then identifying the compounds that inhibit or activate these crucial enzymes, we could put into motion the development of a drug which could have a huge impact on the lives of those suffering from respiratory and other inflammatory diseases.
The Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University has been awarded a total of 1.24m in grants to study respiratory disease. The Wellcome Trust has awarded Prof Alan Knox and Dr Linhua Pang 700,000 to research transcriptional control of inflammatory gene expression in asthma allowing the team to examine the part inflammatory mediators play in the way asthma sufferers react to allergens. A second grant of 540,000 from MRC to Prof Knox and his colleagues Prof Peter Fischer and Prof David Heery will explore histone acetyl transferase (HAT) inhibitors in asthma and COPD. This study will investigate a bank of plant extracts at the University of Strathclyde, seeking compounds that could combat the intercellular processes that result in the symptoms of asthma and COPD inflammation of the airways which can lead to coughing, breathlessness and increased chest infections
Though they are different diseases, asthma and COPD affect the human body in a similar way. In asthma, allergens irritate the lungs, in COPD, this is done by cigarette smoke. This irritation inflames the sufferer's airways, which the muscles then close, creating a narrowing effect.
Research done at the University over the past 15 years has found that the muscle layer in the airway is more complex than has traditionally been thought. As well as going into spasm during asthma and COPD attacks the muscle layer produces a wide range of mediators and cytokines proteins that act as chemical signallers when it comes into contact with allergens or cigarette smoke. In asthma and COPD sufferers, these proteins are produced by stimulation of airway muscle cell walls in the lungs, releasing intracellular signalling proteins called 'transcription factors' which alter the DNA of the cell and activate messenger RNA. It is these 'transcription factors' which activate the inflammation by causing release of mediators and cytokines.
The activation status of these transcription factors is determined by the balance between two competing groups of enzymes called histone acetyl transferase (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). In asthma and COPD sufferers the balance is altered so that the HATs are activated and HDACs suppressed with the result that inflammation is switched on. The investigators at the University think that if the balance could be restored by inactivating HATs then the mediators and cytokines will be switched off and inflammation dampened down.
By exploring plant extracts that may reduce the activation of HATs within airway cells, the researchers may isolate compounds that could be used to suppress inflammation in respiratory disease. Any drug successfully synthesised from such compounds could potentially revolutionise the treatment of respiratory disease. There is also the potential to treat other inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Professor Alan Knox, of the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University, said: The majority of people with asthma have access to reasonably good anti-inflammatory treatments that can keep their conditions under control. But up to 20 per cent of sufferers don't respond well to the treatments currently available. And when it comes to COPD, anti-inflammatory drugs aren't very effective.
By tracking the process which triggers the inflammation and then identifying the compounds that inhibit or activate these crucial enzymes, we could put into motion the development of a drug which could have a huge impact on the lives of those suffering from respiratory and other inflammatory diseases.
The Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University has been awarded a total of 1.24m in grants to study respiratory disease. The Wellcome Trust has awarded Prof Alan Knox and Dr Linhua Pang 700,000 to research transcriptional control of inflammatory gene expression in asthma allowing the team to examine the part inflammatory mediators play in the way asthma sufferers react to allergens. A second grant of 540,000 from MRC to Prof Knox and his colleagues Prof Peter Fischer and Prof David Heery will explore histone acetyl transferase (HAT) inhibitors in asthma and COPD. This study will investigate a bank of plant extracts at the University of Strathclyde, seeking compounds that could combat the intercellular processes that result in the symptoms of asthma and COPD inflammation of the airways which can lead to coughing, breathlessness and increased chest infections
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I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
Susie
Once more,the ONLY possible cause for COPD is given as cigarette smoke.
Don't get me wrong,I believe in my case and many others it was indeed the key component in my getting this disease.But so were the noxious chemicals I spent most of my career inhaling as well as stinking polluted cities I lived in and drove down the roads of.Many buildings I worked in as well as several homes I lived in had unhealthy ventilation conditions.I have lived in places with extremes of humidity (both too much and too little) as well as extremes in elevation.
What of people who have Alpha one COPD which is genetic?
I feel when these factors are ignored in favor of tobacco (which yes IS the prime "villain")a bad image is perpetuated.
I have experienced from family,aquaintances and even medical personel a most negative attitude either spoken or not that I brought this all on myself.(was once told outright by an ER nurse)
A degree of it is perhaps true.
SO WHAT!
I also "contributed to it" making a living for myself and my family.
Having this disease sucks bad enough,DONT try to add shame to the mix.
Sorry about the ramble,but as you may have guessed I am rather "touchy" about it.
LOL at least now you know what "that button" does.
Have the best day you can and breathe well!
Tobacco Product Ad Slogans
COMPANY NAME ADVERTISING SLOGAN
American Brands, Inc. "Tobacco is our middle name."
Bonded Tobacco Co. "Making smoking 'safe' for smokers."
Camel Cigarettes "I'd walk a mile for a Camel."
"For Digestion's Sake - Smoke Camels."
"Experience is the best teacher in choosing a
cigarette. Your T-zone will tell you why."
"More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette."
Carlton Cigarettes "If you smoke, please smoke Carlton."
Chesterfield Cigarettes "Blow some my way."
"a silly millimeter longer"
(Chesterfield 101's campaign)
Eve Cigarettes "Farewell to the ugly cigarette."
"The first truly feminine cigarette - almost as
pretty as you are.
Women have been feminine since Eve, now cigarettes are feminine. " Eve, also with menthol." (1971)
L&M Cigarettes "Just what the doctor ordered."
Lucky Strike "(L.S.M.F.T.) Lucky Strike/Means Fine Tobacco"
"(L.S.M.F.T.) Lucky Strike/Means Filter Tips."
"Light up a Lucky Strike, it's light-up time."
"Luckies taste better. Cleaner, fresher, smoother."
"Do you inhale? Of course you do! Lucky Strike has dared to raise this vital question because certain impurities concealed in even the finest, mildest tobacco leaves are removed by Luckies' famous purifying process." (1932)
"Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet."
With Men Who Know Tobacco, Its Luckies two to one
Marlboro Cigarettes "Come to Marlboro Country."
"Come to where the flavor is."
Mecca Cigarettes "Where was Moses When the Lights Went Out? - Groping for a pack of Meccas."
Muriel Cigars "Hey, big spender, spend a little dime on me." (sung by Edie Adams)
"Why don't you pick me up and smoke me sometime?"
Old Gold Cigarettes "We're tobacco men ... not medicine men. Old
Gold cures just one thing. The World's Best
Tobacco."
"Not a cough in a carload."
Pall Mall Cigarettes "Mildness is a pleasure with Pall Mall."
"Wherever particular people congregate."
Philip Morris Cigarettes "Call for Philip Morris!!" (1940s)"
"Less irritating to the throat."
Tareyton Cigarettes "I'd rather fight than switch."
Tiparillos "Cigars? Cigarettes? Tiparillos?" (1964)
"Should a gentleman offer a Tiparillo to a lady?"
Viceroy "20,000 filter traps."
Virginia Slims Cigarettes "You've come a long way, baby."
Winston Cigarettes "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should."
http://www.tvacres.com/tobacco_slogans.htm
RE: Cigarette smoking. I remember when, if you wanted to lose weight, doctors would tell you to smoke. Or smoke if you needed to "calm your nerves". I remember people smoking in theaters, on buses, in airplanes, restaurants, offices, K-Mart, and yes, even in hospitals - not just as a guest, but as a patient, too, and in your room.
It was glamorized in movies and sanitized in advertising. It made you sexy, it made you manly, it made you "cool". Cigarette companies were the pimps, nicotine the drug and ordinary people the addicts.
In 1970, the controlled drug act took place and various drugs were put into different schedules and classes according to their value medically. Thus certain drugs were deemed illegal and possession or sale of them became a crime.
I find it interesting that marijuana which has not directly caused any deaths or overdoses and is not physically addictive and may have medicinal value, is put in the same class as heroin, yet nicotine which has been said to be even more addictive than heroin and is a direct link to thousands of deaths a year was never listed and is still sold legally (even in pharmacies). Could it be the lawmakers themselves were smokers?
Laws are made to restrict the use of some propellants in inhalers, a medically necessity for some people and possibly the difference between life and death. The reason given they are harmful to the environment. Yet, how many cars have you seen taken off the road? Cars that create such pollutants that children living in Los Angeles now have 20 percent less lung capacity just from breathing dirty air.
Of note, too, is that although COPD is now the 4th leading cause of death affecting males and female alike, rich and poor, no concentrated effort for public support and awareness has really been done such as in breast cancer. I don't even think there is a colored ribbon.
Death related COPD statistics are on the rise, but so are ALL respiratory illnesses, including asthma, among children and adults alike who have never smoked.
I agree with Wildoats that there are just too many things going in the mix.....
As I said, just my 2 cents. By the way, in my remarks about marijuana, it is an observation, not an opinion on whether or not it should be legalized.
and it can make you ashamed that you haave it, knowing that alot of us DID bring it on ourself. but then i wonder, do AIDS people have to feel ashamed of their disease? i hope not.
just remember, something's gonna get us, no matter what.
And as far as shame, I'll be darned if I feel ashamed of having COPD, asthma or any other illness I might encounter in my lifetime.
Shame is an emotion others might wish to place on me, however, I do not have to accept it nor will I and neither should any of the rest of us that have this disease.