Influence of antidiabetic drugs on the course of bronchial asthma

Results of modern research show that despite new approaches to the treatment of bronchial asthma (BA) (including new strategies for using combinations of inhaled and biological drugs), about 5-10% of patients belong to the phenotype with persistent resistance to standard therapy, more pronounced bronchial reactivity and, as a result, a tendency to frequent exacerbations. In this regard, it is necessary to study and implement additional methods of BA therapy. Recent research suggests that antidiabetic drugs such as metformin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists may have a positive effect on asthma. A new UK study led by Chloe Bloom of Imperial College London has shown that metformin reduces the risk of asthma attacks by 30%, while adding a GLP-1 agonist to the treatment reduces the risk by a further 40%. In experimental studies, the diabetes drugs metformin and GLP-1 agonists reduced airway inflammation, hyperreactivity and bronchial remodelling. These results highlight the need for further study of the potential of antidiabetic drugs in the treatment of asthma in combination with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and suggest the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs into much-needed alternative treatments for asthma.

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