Washington: An enzyme, which is known for its role in heart disease, could be a promising target to treat asthma, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the University of Iowa have found that the enzyme, called CaMKII, is linked to the harmful effects of oxidation in the respiratory tract, triggering asthmatic symptoms.
The finding could lead to the development of a drug that would target the CaMKII enzyme, the researchers said.
Asthma affects billions of people worldwide, and current treatments don`t work well, Mark Anderson, professor and chair in internal medicine at the UI and a co-corresponding author on the paper, said.
"It`s a kind of an epidemic without a clear, therapeutic option," Anderson said.
"The take-home message is that inhibiting CaMKII appears to be an effective anti-oxidant strategy for treating allergic asthma," he said.
The study is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
ANI
