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Smoking Raises Production of Mucus In Bronchitis Patients: Study
According to the study conducted by researchers in New Mexico cigarette smoke suppresses a protein that causes the natural death of mucus-producing cells in the airways of bronchitis patients.
"Although it is known that chronic mucus secretion is a hallmark of chronic bronchitis, the mechanisms underlying this condition are largely unknown," said Yohannes Tesfaigzi, director of the COPD Program at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque.
"This study shows that the airway cells that secrete mucus are sustained by cigarette smoke, which suppresses a cell death-inducing protein called Bik.
"Previous studies have shown overproduction of mucus cells is common in the large and small airways of cigarette smokers.
"This overproduction in the small airways is responsible for airway obstruction and reduced lung function and in the pathogenesis of acute exacerbations of COPD.
"Our previous studies show that following inflammatory responses, up to 30 percent of cells lining the airways undergo death and return to the original cell numbers," he continued. "This cell death is aided in part by proteins, including Bik. Disruption of this recovery process may lead to persistent elevation of mucus cell numbers and contribute to airway obstruction found in chronic lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
"Based on these earlier findings we wanted to determine if Bik may be responsible for sustained mucus cell growth in the airways of cigarette smokers," he said.
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More News on: Acute Bronchitis, Health Hazards of Smoking, Smoking And Cancer, Smoking And Tobacco, Smoking Risk, Diet Lifestyle and Heart Disease, Bubbles and Brews - Alcohol Facts, Smoking, Cigarette Smoking - A Silent Killer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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