Method of mediating Airway Smooth Muscle Construction Due to Airway Irritation

摘要

Methods of minimizing bronchospasm and contraction of airway smooth muscle due to irritation of the airway are provided. More particularly, a method is provided of mitigating bronchospasm or airway smooth muscle constriction due to irritation. This method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an amount of propofol or a derivative thereof effective to decrease the severity and/or duration of bronchospasm or airway smooth muscle constriction. Also provided are methods of up-regulating GABA mediated relaxation of airway smooth muscle at GABA_A receptors expressed on airway smooth muscle and methods of anesthetizing a subject and minimizing bronchospasm or airway smooth muscle constriction due to irritation using propofol or a propofol derivative.