- is a major
cause of disability and early retirement
- afflicts 8
million Americans with asthma
- cripples 10
million Americans with chronic bronchitis and emphysema
PROGRESS
IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
Breathing is usually
an unconscious act. When it isn't, that often signals lung
disease, which can affect both adults and children. These
diseases include asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic
fibrosis, acute infectious pneumonia and infant (RDS) respiratory
distress syndrome. Many health disorders related to environmental
factors such as exposure to bacteria, cigarette smoke and
industrial pollutants are lung diseases as well.
How
has animal research helped lung disease?
In the 1950's,
research on rabbits revealed that a crucial internal coating
in the lung is essential for normal breathing. This discovery
led to development of therapy for infantile repiratory distress.
Today, thanks to this research involving animals, almost half
of the 50,000 infants born each year with respiratory distress,
who used to die, are now being saved. Studies in dogs, sheep,
and horses have added insight into the mechanisms of lung
injury. Cigarette smoke was first shown to produce emphysema
in a carefully studied colony of dogs many years ago. Other
animal studies led to the discovery of cromolyn sodium, the
first asthma-preventive drug.
Is
animal research still needed in lung disease?
Without risking
human life, researchers at Wayne State University, the University
of Michigan and Michigan State University are currently exploring
the cause, mechanisms of injury, and treatment of lung diseases.
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine is using research with
calves to better understand the early onset of pneumonia.
At U of M, with the help of dogs, researchers are studying
a new type of heart and lung machine known as ECMO. This machine
has recently proven to offer extended support for infants
with respiratory problems - up to two weeks longer than the
standard heart lung machine can safely operated. New substances
are also being tested on animals to find less toxic drugs
than those now available for asthmatic patients. Studies of
emphysema in rabbits and asthma in horses are revealing the
natural stages of development of these diseases and promise
new ways to prevent them.
What's
ahead for sufferers of lung disease?
Animal models
are critical to control human suffering from lung ailments.
The lives of 25,000 infants a year might be saved if researchers
knew more about infantile repiratory distress. Better treatment
of asthma would restore thousands of workdays to productive
people. Prevetion or delay of disability from lung disease
would save the economy $10-20 billion a year. Clearly, animal
research may provide the breath of life to millions.
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