Scientists from Edith Cowan University have made an important discovery that could lead to more effective treatments for the world’s 262 million asthma sufferers.
They found severe asthmatics have a distinct biochemical (metabolite) profile detectable in their urine, compared to mild-to-moderate asthmatics and healthy people.
The research is published in the European Respiratory Journal and was conducted by Dr. Stacey Reinke et al.
In the study, the team analyzed urine samples from more than 600 participants across 11 countries. They discovered a specific type of metabolite, called carnitines, which decreased in severe asthmatics.
Carnitines play an important role in cellular energy generation and immune responses. Further analyses found carnitine metabolism was lower in severe asthmatics.
The team says these new findings will help enable researchers work towards new, more effective therapies for asthmatics.
Severe asthma occurs when someone’s asthma is uncontrolled, despite being treated with high levels of medication and/or multiple medications.
To identify and develop new treatment options, researchers first need to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease.
One way to do this is to examine the body’s chemical profile, or ‘metabolome’, which provides a snapshot of a person’s current physiological state and gives useful insight into disease processes.
The team says these are preliminary results, but they will continue to investigate carnitine metabolism to evaluate its potential as a new asthma treatment target.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about how to take care of your lungs during COVID and beyond, and yogurt and high-fiber diet may cut lung cancer risk.
For more information about lung health, please see recent studies about the cause of lung cancer in never smokers, and results showing this diabetes drug could treat lung inflammation in COVID-19.
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