Asthma

Asthma Research

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma affects a staggering 8% of the world’s population and there is no cure.

There are several risk factors for developing asthma such as inhaled substances and particles that provide allergic reactions or irritate the airways. Other factors include genetic predisposition, environmental allergens, and dietary factors.

How is Asthma Measured?

Rodents are the typical species used when studying asthma. Ovalbumin (OVA) derived from chicken egg is a frequently used allergen that induces a robust, allergic pulmonary inflammation in laboratory rodents. Animals are sensitized to OVA over time and with i.p. injections and later exposed to OVA using an aerosol to induce acute allergic airway inflammation. Airway Hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is assessed using a muscarinic receptor (Methacholine).

Primary endpoints of interest include respiratory rate, peak flows, and resistance; all are contributors to determining levels of bronchoconstriction.

DSI solutions are helping researchers learn more about how to treat asthma. Learn more about these solutions below.

Resistance and Compliance

RC Mouse System

FinePointe resistance and compliance hardware helps researchers measure an animal’s airflow and lung pressure. This anesthetized approach allows for direct measurement of an animal’s response to a bronchoconstrictor either using an aerosol or I.V.

Non-Invasive Airway Mechanics

NAM 2 site, non-invasive airway mechanics, airway resistance

FinePointe non-invasive airway mechanics uses specially designed Allay restraint and double chamber plethysmography to monitor nasal and thoracic flow simultaneously. Aerosol administration of a bronchoconstrictor is evaluated on conscious animals deriving specific airway resistance.

Whole Body Plethysmography

FP WBP 2-Site System - Mouse

When conscious, unrestrained approaches are desired, FinePointe whole body plethysmography allows for respiratory endpoints to be obtained. This approach is often used as a quick, easy way to screen compounds, run longitudinal studies, and assess the need for further research in a more invasive model.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary Function Test Controller, Calibrator, and Chambers, pulmonary test, pulmonary testing, PFT

The pulmonary function testing system allow for a comprehensive assessment of the lungs. All lung volumes and spirometry equivalent test results are completed in a matter of minutes; allowing for high throughput and quicker results.

Finepointe Software

FP_WBP_software, plethysmography, Unrestrained Plethysmography, WBP, Whole Body Plethysmography, body plethysmograph, body plethysmography

FinePointe software is powerful and easy-to-use for collecting, analyzing, and reporting life science data. Fully network-enabled, the smart design minimizes required user interaction while wizards walk users through necessary procedures.

3780 Asthma articles citing DSI in Google Scholar

References

Bosnjak B, Tilp C, Tomsic C, Dekan G, Pieper M, Erb K, Epstein M. “Tiotropium bromide inhibits relapsing allergic asthma in BALB/c mice.” Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2014;27:44-51.

Khaitov M, Shilovskiy I, Nikonova A, Shershakova N, Kamyshnikov O, Babakhin A, Zverev V, Johnston S, Khaitov R. “Small interfering RNAs targeted to interleukin-4 and respiratory syncytial virus reduce airway inflammation in a mouse model of virus-induced asthma exacerbation.” Human Gene Therapy. 2014;25:642-650.

Haapakoski R, Karisola P, Fyhrquist N, Savinko T, Wolff H, Turjanmaa K, Palosuo T, Reunala T, Lauerma A, Alenius H. “Intradermal cytosine-phosphate-guanosine treatment reduces lung inflammation but induces IFN-gamma-mediated airway hyperreactivity in a murine model of natural rubber latex allergy.” American journal of respiratory cellular and molecular biology. 2011;44:639-647.

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