Taniguchi H, Nakanishi Y, Tsuda T, et al. - Researchers determined the clinical features of the patients with chest tightness relieved with the use of asthma drugs except bronchodilators (CTRAEB) and performed a comparison of these with data from patients with chest tightness relieved with bronchodilator use (CTRB). Overall 13 patients with CTRB and 7 with CTRAEB were included. Comparisons were performed using 10 healthy individuals, 11 bronchial biopsy control patients, and 10 asthmatic patients. In patients with CTRB and in those with CTRAEB, a rise in the forced expiratory volume in one second by 5.1% ± 4.0% and by 1.3% ± 3.5%, respectively, was noted as a result of inhalation of a short-acting ß₂-agonist, and the observed difference was statistically significant. Significant increases in T cells was seen in bronchial biopsy specimens obtained from the patients with CTRB and CTRAEB vs those of the controls. Experts formulated a hypothesis, based on the findings, according to which inflammation alone is responsible for chest tightness involved in the clinical condition of patients with CTRAEB, and this chest tightness is mostly related to airway T cells, without constriction of the airways. In only a minor portion of patients with CTRB and CTRAEB, a rise in the bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was noted. Apart from the response to bronchodilator treatment, there is little to differentiate CTRAEB from CTRB.