Current opinion in pharmacology
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Infection with Chlamydophila pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been linked to asthma. There is evidence to suggest that persistent infection with these organisms might lead to an increase in the severity of asthma. beta-Lactam antibiotics have not been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of asthma but several studies have indicated that macrolides and related antibiotics might be useful both for the treatment of chronic asthma and for acute exacerbations. However, these observations need to be confirmed in further studies. It is not clear whether any effect that these antibiotics has is a result of antimicrobial actions against organisms such as C. pneumoniae or whether it is due to their anti-inflammatory action.
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Curr Opin Pharmacol · Jun 2007
ReviewSelective relaxant binding agents for reversal of neuromuscular blockade.
Traditionally, reversal of neuromuscular blockade during anaesthesia was achieved by increasing the acetylcholine concentration in the neuromuscular junction using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, this is ineffective against profound blockade. Furthermore, the increase in acetylcholine level is not limited to the neuromuscular junction, resulting in unwanted side effects requiring co-treatment with muscarinic antagonists. ⋯ As part of this new approach, cyclodextrin molecules have been designed that selectively encapsulate steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. Both animal and human experiments have demonstrated that fast, effective and complete recovery from both normal and profound neuromuscular blockade is now possible. Furthermore, these cyclodextrin derivatives do not have the unwanted side effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.