Protective calcium barrier shielding healthy lungs from smoke particles.

Clearing the Air: Can Calcium Combat the Damage of Smoke?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how inhaled calcium salts offer a potential breakthrough in fighting tobacco smoke-induced lung inflammation, offering hope for COPD sufferers."

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health challenge, characterized by persistent airflow limitation and inflammation in the lungs. This condition, often exacerbated by respiratory infections and environmental irritants like tobacco smoke, leads to a decline in lung function and a reduced quality of life for millions. Traditional treatments focus on bronchodilation and reducing inflammation with corticosteroids, but new strategies are needed to address the underlying causes and improve patient outcomes.

One promising area of research centers on the role of the airway surface liquid (ASL), a thin film that lines the lungs and protects against inhaled particles and pathogens. The ASL's properties, including its viscosity and ability to clear debris, are crucial for maintaining lung health. When this liquid is compromised, the lungs become more susceptible to inflammation and infection.

A recent study published in Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics explores a novel approach: using inhaled calcium salts to modulate the ASL and reduce tobacco smoke-induced inflammation. This research investigates how calcium interacts with the components of the ASL, potentially altering its properties in a way that protects the lungs from damage.

How Do Calcium Salts Help Reduce Lung Inflammation?

Protective calcium barrier shielding healthy lungs from smoke particles.

The study's core hypothesis revolves around the idea that calcium ions can interact with the negatively charged glycoproteins in the ASL, leading to changes in its structure and function. Specifically, calcium may help to:

Researchers used a combination of in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (animal) models to investigate the effects of inhaled calcium salts on lung inflammation. Mice exposed to tobacco smoke were treated with dry powder formulations of calcium lactate, and the researchers then assessed various markers of inflammation in the lungs, including:

Increase mucus viscosity
Reduce pore size in the mucus
Strengthen the barrier function of the ASL

The results showed that inhaled calcium salts, but not other salts like sodium or magnesium, significantly reduced cellular inflammation and the levels of key chemokines and cytokines induced by tobacco smoke. Similar anti-inflammatory effects were observed in cultures of human macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells.

The Future of Calcium Salts in Respiratory Therapy

These findings suggest that inhaled calcium salts could offer a new therapeutic avenue for managing lung inflammation in COPD patients and others exposed to tobacco smoke. By acting on both the physical and biological pathways involved in inflammation, calcium salts may provide a more comprehensive approach compared to existing treatments.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.pupt.2018.10.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Inhaled Calcium Salts Inhibit Tobacco Smoke-Induced Inflammation By Modulating Expression Of Chemokines And Cytokines

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Paulette W. Andreotta, Steve Arold, Jennifer Kenyon, Diane Spicer, Paul Woodman, Elizabeth Berry, Tim Brogan, Sophanna Kong, Pamela Okerholm, Vince Russell, Robert W. Clarke, David L. Hava

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and why is it a major concern?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease marked by persistent airflow blockage and inflammation within the lungs. This condition is often worsened by irritants like tobacco smoke. Traditional treatments often fall short in addressing the root causes of the disease. New approaches are necessary to improve patient outcomes, and inhaled calcium salts offer a novel strategy to address the lung inflammation associated with COPD.

What is the significance of the Airway Surface Liquid (ASL) in the context of lung health?

The Airway Surface Liquid (ASL) is a crucial protective layer lining the lungs. It helps to keep the lungs healthy by removing inhaled particles and pathogens. When tobacco smoke or other irritants compromise the ASL, lung inflammation and infection become more likely. The inhaled calcium salts interact with the components of the ASL, changing its properties and providing protection from damage.

How did inhaled calcium salts affect lung inflammation in the study?

Inhaled calcium salts, such as calcium lactate, were found to significantly reduce inflammation markers in the lungs of mice exposed to tobacco smoke. Researchers observed a decrease in cellular inflammation and in the levels of specific chemokines and cytokines. This was not seen with other salts, like sodium or magnesium, showing the specific effect of the calcium.

How do inhaled calcium salts work to protect the lungs?

Calcium salts are believed to interact with the negatively charged glycoproteins within the Airway Surface Liquid (ASL). This interaction may alter the structure and function of the ASL in several ways. Specifically, it can increase mucus viscosity, reduce pore size in the mucus, and strengthen the barrier function of the ASL. These effects help to protect the lungs from the damaging effects of tobacco smoke.

What does the future hold for calcium salts in respiratory therapy?

Inhaled calcium salts show promise as a new treatment for managing lung inflammation in people exposed to tobacco smoke, particularly those with COPD. By addressing both the physical and biological aspects of inflammation within the lungs, calcium salts could offer a more complete approach than existing treatments that may not tackle the root causes of the disease. This could potentially improve the quality of life for those impacted by COPD and related conditions.