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12 September 2008
Our first cigarette warns us of the danger: this is how smoke irritates the respiratory tracts
A group of international researchers has identified the irritant and inflammatory mechanism of action induced by cigarette smoke in the respiratory tract. This achievement – recently published by the “Journal of Clinical Investigation” – is the result of studies conducted by an international team including Riccardo Patacchini (Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma), Nigel Bunnett (the University of California, San Francisco) and Chrisotophe Creminon (CEA–Saclay, Gyf-sur-Yvette). The team is coordinated by Pierangelo Geppetti, who is a full professor in Clinical Pharmacology at Florence University,
The primary reaction caused by inhaling cigarette smoke – as the study demonstrates – is neurogenic and mediated by TRPA1. As in all inflammatory reactions, this also initially functions as a protective measure in order to prevent the harmful substances in smoke from reaching our lungs. For reasons which are not yet clear, this mechanism gradually decreases in regular smokers, thus also reducing its effect as a defence barrier. This promotes the development of chronic inflammation and progressive lung damage. After decades of tobacco consumption, millions of smokers feel their usual symptoms getting worse. These may include catarrh, coughing, shortness of breath, inability to do normal activities such as climbing the stairs. 10-15 % of smokers eventually develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by a progressive and irreversible worsening of their respiration. COPD is a complex and little-known condition, which is quickly becoming one of the most frequent causes of death: The World Health Organisation is predicting that it will be the fourth most common cause of death within the next 10 – 12 years.
As yet there is no treatment able to slow the progression of this disease: for this reason the medical-scientific community is doing its utmost to find new and effective therapies. This study is an important first step towards understanding the causes of cigarette-induced irritant and inflammatory effects: further studies could help us understand how this mechanism may be altered, with the hope of new therapeutic alternatives, both in the fight against smoking and the treatment of COPD.
The primary reaction caused by inhaling cigarette smoke – as the study demonstrates – is neurogenic and mediated by TRPA1. As in all inflammatory reactions, this also initially functions as a protective measure in order to prevent the harmful substances in smoke from reaching our lungs. For reasons which are not yet clear, this mechanism gradually decreases in regular smokers, thus also reducing its effect as a defence barrier. This promotes the development of chronic inflammation and progressive lung damage. After decades of tobacco consumption, millions of smokers feel their usual symptoms getting worse. These may include catarrh, coughing, shortness of breath, inability to do normal activities such as climbing the stairs. 10-15 % of smokers eventually develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by a progressive and irreversible worsening of their respiration. COPD is a complex and little-known condition, which is quickly becoming one of the most frequent causes of death: The World Health Organisation is predicting that it will be the fourth most common cause of death within the next 10 – 12 years.
As yet there is no treatment able to slow the progression of this disease: for this reason the medical-scientific community is doing its utmost to find new and effective therapies. This study is an important first step towards understanding the causes of cigarette-induced irritant and inflammatory effects: further studies could help us understand how this mechanism may be altered, with the hope of new therapeutic alternatives, both in the fight against smoking and the treatment of COPD.
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