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The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a therapeutic role for inhibitors of MMPs?

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive... Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term describing two separate chronic lung disease diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis (1). Initial clinical symptoms are shortness of breath and occasional cough. As the disease progresses difficulties in breathing becomes more pronounced, the cough more persistent and becomes associated with production of a clear sputum. In severe cases there are additional heart complications. The major risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. Between 1980 and 1990 there was a 22 % increase in the occurrence of the disease with attributed 84,000 deaths in 1990 in the USA (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health). Current therapies address the symptoms and range from bronchodilators, corticosteroids to oxygen. While there are no effective cures, although the disease can be prevented and progress slowed in many cases by removing the principal risk factor: cigarette smoking. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Inflammation Research Springer Journals

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a therapeutic role for inhibitors of MMPs?

Belvisi, M. G.; Bottomley, K. M.
Inflammation Research , Volume 52 (3) – Mar 1, 2003
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References (50)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 by Birkhäuser Verlag,
Subject
Biomedicine; Immunology; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Rheumatology; Allergology; Dermatology; Neurology
ISSN
1023-3830
eISSN
1420-908X
DOI
10.1007/s000110300020
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term describing two separate chronic lung disease diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis (1). Initial clinical symptoms are shortness of breath and occasional cough. As the disease progresses difficulties in breathing becomes more pronounced, the cough more persistent and becomes associated with production of a clear sputum. In severe cases there are additional heart complications. The major risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. Between 1980 and 1990 there was a 22 % increase in the occurrence of the disease with attributed 84,000 deaths in 1990 in the USA (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health). Current therapies address the symptoms and range from bronchodilators, corticosteroids to oxygen. While there are no effective cures, although the disease can be prevented and progress slowed in many cases by removing the principal risk factor: cigarette smoking.

Journal

Inflammation Research – Springer Journals

Published: Mar 1, 2003

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