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A new study has revealed thatdrugs widely used to treat lung diseases, like asthma and pneumonia, work with the body clock, which makes them ineffective. Scientists from The University of Manchester have found out that cells lining the lung airways have their own body clock which is the time-keeper for lung inflammation - both conditions cause swelling (inflammation) in the lungs and more severe lung inflammation happens as a result of the loss of the body clock working in these cells.
Andrew Loudon from The University of Manchester said that they have found key molecule known as CXCL5 that facilitates lung inflammation which is a key regulator of how immune cells get into tissues. The loss of CXCL5 completely prevents the time of day regulation of lung inflammation which opens up new ways to treat lung diseases. (Read: Prevent a sore throat from progressing into a cough)
The team also uncovered how glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal gland are vital in controlling the level of inflammation in the cells lining the airway and concluded that the rhythm of the clock in the lining of the cells in the lungs is important for lung diseases like asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Loudon said that they have defined a major circadian control on lung inflammation which affects responses to bacterial infection or pneumonia. They know that many lung disease s indeed show a strong time of day effect, including asthma, and deaths from pneumonia. (Read: Is your shift likely to give you asthma or pneumonia?)
The study was published in Nature Medicine.
How can one recognise pneumonia? What are the classic symptoms?
Pneumonia is a disease in which lungs get filled up with pus like fluid mostly due to an infection. Commonly patients would complain of cough with green or yellow sputum; occasionally the sputum is rust colored or with frank blood, fever usually high grade (more than 100 F), chest pain while breathing -pricking or dull aching type with or without shortness of breath. Chills (called rigors) and a change in mental status (confusion, unclear thinking) can occur. In children, there may additionally be lethargy, restlessness, inability to eat due or loss of appetite, or abdominal pain.
How does a common cold progress to pneumonia?
Pneumonia can follow a common cold. The agents causing pneumonia are most often transmitted by droplet spread resulting from close contact with a source case. Contact with contaminated fomites also may be important in the acquisition of viral agents. An upper respiratory tract illness permits invasion of the lower respiratory tract by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens that trigger the immune response and produce inflammation. The lower respiratory tract air spaces fill with white blood cells (WBC), fluid, and cellular debris.And the pathogens along with the cells, fluid and debris cause all the symptoms of pneumonia. Read more about Understanding pneumonia causes, symptoms,vaccine, prevention, treatment
With inputs from ANI
Photo source: Getty images
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