(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New preliminary research shows promising results in
reducing lung inflammation caused by cigarette smoke. Researchers at the
University of Melbourne, Australia used mice to show that, by blocking a certain
protein, they can reduce lung inflammation associated with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other smoking-related illnesses.
Cigarette smoke causes the release of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating
factor (GM-CSF), which is the protein responsible for the growth and survival of
COPD cells. The smoke also allows for the release of inflammatory cells, such as
matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 which destroys lung tissue and results in
emphysema.
Researchers exposed mice to the equivalent of nine cigarettes of smoke for four
days and treated half of the mice with an anti-GM-CSF blocking agent. After four
days, the lung tissue of each mouse was examined for the presence of
inflammatory cells. Findings showed the blocking agent greatly reduced the
presence of harmful white blood cells in the lungs and inhibited the release of
MMP-12. The amount of inflammation in the lungs was significantly less compared
to the untreated mice.
These results give new hope for fighting smoking related diseases. However, Ross
Vlahos, Ph.D., senior research fellow with the lung disease research group at
the University of Melbourne maintains, “Our treatment deals with cigarette
smoke-induced lung inflammation involved in COPD, not cancer and other
smoking-related ailments. Quitting remains the best and only cure for
smoking-related lung disease.”
SOURCE: The American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and
Critical Care Medicine, March 18, 2010
