Effect of cyclodextrin on sensory nerve activity and the cough reflex in man: a novel anti-tussive therapy?

咳嗽是一种反射机制，有助于清除呼吸道中的异物和分泌物。然而，它也可能是许多炎性气道疾病的第一个和最持久的症状，包括哮喘、慢性阻塞性肺病、病毒后感染、肺纤维化和支气管扩张。当病因不明时，也可能出现慢性咳嗽。目前还没有有效的治疗方法。因此，发现治疗慢性咳嗽的新药将会带来巨大的好处，并将大大提高许多患者和患者的生活质量。当气道的感觉神经被激活时，咳嗽的反射作用就开始了。我们的研究着眼于阻止气道感觉神经被激活的药物是否也会抑制咳嗽反射。这个项目特别关注环糊精作为一种可能的试剂。以前的临床前研究已经证明了环糊精在预防咳嗽中的抑制作用。本项目旨在进一步开展这项工作，并测试环糊精对人咳嗽反射的抑制活性。

Cough is a reflex mechanism that helps clear foreign material and secretions from the airways. However, it may also be the first and most persistent symptom of many inflammatory airways diseases, including, asthma, COPD, post viral infections, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Chronic cough can also be present when a cause can not be identified. At present there are no effective treatments for this condition. Therefore, the identification of new drugs for the treatment of chronic cough will be of immense benefit and will greatly enhance the quality of life of many patients and sufferers. The reflex action of coughing is initiated when sensory nerves in the airway are activated. Our research looks into whether agents which prevent the sensory nerves in the airway from being activated, will also inhibit the cough reflex. This project in particular looks at cyclodextrin as a possible agent. Previous pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of cyclodextrin in preventing cough. This project seeks to take this work further and to test the inhibitory activity of cyclodextrins on the cough reflex in man.