Effect of methacholine challenge on cellular composition of sputum induction
- aFondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Clinica del Lavoro e della Riabilitazione, Tradate, Italy, bIstituto di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, CNR, Palermo, Italy, cDivisione di Pneumologia, Ospedale di Piacenza, Italy, dCattedra di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e Riabilitazione, Università di Genova, Italy
- Dr A Spanevello, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Via Roncaccio 16, 21049 Tradate (VA), Italy.
- Received 5 June 1998
- Revision requested 29 July 1998
- Revised 26 August 1998
- Accepted 8 September 1998
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induced sputum and methacholine inhalation challenge are routinely used for the assessment of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, respectively. This study investigates whether a methacholine challenge performed one hour before sputum induction alters the cellular and biochemical constituents of sputum.
METHODS Sixteen stable asthmatic patients with lung function within the normal range underwent two sputum inductions within one week. One hour before one of the sputum inductions a methacholine challenge was performed.
RESULTS There were no significant differences in total cell count, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, epithelial cells, ECP, and albumin between the two challenges. The repeatability of cell counts was good for all cells, ECP and albumin, but poor for total cells.
CONCLUSIONS In patients with stable asthma a methacholine challenge carried out one hour before sputum induction does not significantly alter the cellular and biochemical constituents of sputum.
