According to the CDC, 8.5% of Americans suffer with asthma.  It causes over 3,000 deaths and costs over $56 billion annually.  Treatments are mostly steroids which have harmful side effects and are not very effective.  CaMKII enzyme was discovered about 10 years ago and when oxidized hardens heart muscle cells, resulting in heart disease and heart attack.  Inhibition of this enzyme may not only help heart patients, but asthmatics as well.

Researchers with the Carver College of Medicine studied mice that they inhibited CaMKII in the airway muscle cells and epithelial lining cells separately.   The inhibition had no effect in the muscle cells as it did in the heart.  However the lining cells had little oxidation of CaMKII and showed none of the symptoms of asthma.   The mice were also exposed to allergens known to trigger asthma reactions and showed little reaction.  Findings resulted that CaMKII inhibition would be effective in allergy-induced asthma patients.

With such research in enzyme inhibition the possibilities of future treatments could pivot towards a new and interesting medical break-through that patients with asthma could be encouraged about.  Steroidal treatment is harsh on the body and while the asthma is treated, so many other health issues arise over long-term use.  Patients would no longer have to look forward to arising adversities health-wise but a true quality of life treatment.

Works Cited:

http://www. sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130724195950.htm

“Inhibiting CaMKII Enzyme Activity Could Lead to New Therapies for Heart Disease” 2012/ 10.  http://medicalxpress.com/news.htm