Toward a phenomenological systems biology approach of atopic asthma treatment

Abstract

Introduction Bronchial asthma treatment would benefit from innovative methods that diminish the need for (inhalation) corticosteroid therapy (ICT). In integrative medical practice, the call for effect-based therapeutic interventions, which include views such as are used in complementary medicine, is growing. An approach that includes changes in other physiological systems than those that are directly involved may render innovative methods for integrative medicine that will lead to new therapeutic venues for atopic asthma. One reason that biological systems can be difficult to study is that so many different interactions with other organisms and the environment are possible. One of the goals of phenomenological systems biology is to discover new emergent properties in the entirety of processes that take place in a biological system. An integrative systems biology approach of the clinical symptoms of atopic asthma may be used to validate therapies that are used in integrative medicine. Method Phenomenological systems biology is a systematic study of complex interactions in biological systems, using the perspective of integration rather than reduction to study them. It first gathers the signs and symptoms of patients with atopic asthma. Then it characterizes them taking into account the organism's functioning as a whole. Results The characteristic clinical symptoms of asthma include strained inspiration, increased awareness and tight musculature. These symptoms indicate increased nervous system activity. At the same time, metabolic activity in the respiratory tract is increased as a result of inflammatory processes, and intestinal metabolic activity is impaired. The highly differentiated anatomical and physiological function of the bronchial part of the respiratory tract is disturbed. It has shifted toward functions that are normal in the upper respiratory tract, situated in the head. A functional dislocation destroys the balance between organ systems in asthma. Treating asthma benefits from treating the increased nervous activity and the disturbed metabolic and intestinal activity as well as the respiratory problems. This is realized by therapeutic interventions that are used in complementary medicine, which also reduce the need for ICT. The validity of the model will be demonstrated at hand of the treatment of asthma in anthroposophic medicine (AM). As an expertise-based integrative medical approach, AM offers new avenues to treat asthma patients that are tailored better to the individual patient's needs. Conclusions • Phenomenological systems biology can substantiate the results of complementary treatment of atopic asthma in integrative medicine. • Systems biology should be a part of educational programs in medical schools and at universities. • Complementary medicine, including AM, offers therapeutic modalities that can reduce the need for ICT.