Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
 26,722 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Seven children from 3 to 14 years old with chronic steroid-dependent asthma were treated with methotrexate (MTX). Asthma in all of the patients had been poorly controlled for at least 2 years despite the use of oral theophylline and inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn and albuterol. All presented with significant side effects as a result of chronic systemic steroid therapy. Five patients were atopic and had been unable to tolerate immunotherapy because of systemic reactions. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced expiratory flow, mid-expiratory phase, improved in four patients after 4 to 6 months of treatment with doses of MTX ranging from 7.5 to 17.5 mg/wk. Three patients were able to discontinue their systemic corticosteroids. Laboratory values including complete blood cell count with differential and liver enzymes remained at baseline in all except one patient, who had transient elevation in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. One patient experienced side effects sufficient to require discontinuation of MTX. It is concluded that MTX is effective for reducing the need for systemic corticosteroids and for improving pulmonary functions in some individuals. The benefits of MTX in this group of severe asthmatics appear to justify the potential risks involved in its use.
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PMID:Methotrexate treatment of severe asthma in children. 155 42

This study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of zileuton controlled release [CR] 1,200 mg BID added to usual care (UC) in 926 patients with moderate asthma (619 patients randomized to zileuton CR and 307 to placebo). Sustained improvements in AM and PM peak expiratory flow (PEF) were observed in the zileuton CR group compared to placebo. The adverse event profile was similar in the two treatment groups. Eleven patients (1.8%) receiving zileuton CR and 2 (0.7%) receiving placebo experienced elevations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >or= 3X the upper limit of normal (ULN). These elevations typically occurred (81.8%) during the first 3 months of exposure and most resolved within 21 days after discontinuation.
J Asthma 2007 May
PMID:The safety and efficacy of zileuton controlled-release tablets as adjunctive therapy to usual care in the treatment of moderate persistent asthma: a 6-month randomized controlled study. 1753 May 30

This article presents a case report of a 41-year-old male firefighter with cholecystitis and a history of mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase. Liver biopsy showed periodic acid Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant periportal globules. Retrospective review of clinical data revealed progressive lung function decline despite absent pulmonary symptoms and normal pulmonary function testing. The following disorders should be considered in any patient with elevated transaminases without an apparent etiology: viral hepatitides, medication toxicity, autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol-induced hepatic injury, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Allergy Asthma Proc
PMID:Liver enzyme elevation and normal pulmonary function in an adult with a declining forced expiratory volume in 1 second. 1853 93