Effects of the synthetic peptide derived from the reactive site of Bauhinia bauhinioides Kallikrein Proteinase Inhibitor (BbKI) on inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress in a model of asma-COPD overlay syndrome (ACOS)

• Grant number: 20/07359-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Iolanda de Fátima Lopes Calvo Tibério
• Grantee: Arthur Silva Costa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/02537-5 - Characterization of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS): experimental and clinical studies, AP.TEM

Abstract

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are obstructive lung diseases, extensively studied in the medical field. Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of airway tissue, that affects about 1-18% of the population in several countries, comprehending a variety of comorbidities. COPD is also a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways but is usually associated with exposure to harmful gases, such as smoking. The chronic inflammatory process of COPD induces a disease of the small airways (chronic bronchitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema). Currently, there are scientific discussions that address a possible association between asthma and COPD, both in their pathophysiological mechanism and in their therapeutic proposals. An important aspect of this association is airway remodeling; both diseases can cause remodeling and irreversible airflow limitation. The new studies also suggest that there may be common pathways between them, which contributes to remodeling and, thus, increased morbidity and mortality. The opportunity then arises to study clinical-pharmacological management in this scenario. The Bauhinia bauhinoides Kallikrein Proteinase Inhibitor (BbKI), is a recently studied compound that may have an important anti-inflammatory role in chronic diseases. Due to its role as a proteinase inhibitor, the hypothesis is that this molecule may favor patients with asthma, COPD, or even asthma-COPD association. The present study aims to analyze possible outcomes on the use of BbKI in experimental models of asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD association. (AU)