Inhaled corticosteroids reduce asthma-associated airway hyperperfusion through genomic and nongenomic mechanisms

Inhaled corticosteroids have both genomic and nongenomic actions on the tracheobronchial (airway) vasculature in patients with bronchial asthma. Genomic actions involve the activation or repression of target genes associated with inflammation, and reduce inflammatory hyperperfusion in the airway. In contrast, nongenomic actions are mediated by rapid cellular mechanisms and induce transient vasoconstriction. This article reviews recent progress on the mechanisms by which inhaled corticosteroids reverse inflammatory blood flow changes in the airway in asthma. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.