rss
Thorax 1999;54:622-624 doi:10.1136/thx.54.7.622
  • Short paper

Effect of a single dose of salmeterol on the increase in airway eosinophils induced by allergen challenge in asthmatic subjects

  1. Federico L Dentea,
  2. Lorenza Bancalaria,
  3. Elena Baccia,
  4. Maria L Bartolia,
  5. Stefano Carnevalia,
  6. Silvana Cianchettia,
  7. Antonella Di Francoa,
  8. Daniele Gianninia,
  9. Barbara Vagagginia,
  10. Renato Testib,
  11. Pier L Paggiaroa
  1. aCardio-Thoracic Department, Pneumology Section, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, bGlaxoWellcome, Verona, Italy
  1. Dr F L Dente, Ospedale di Cisanello, Dipartimento di Cardiologia Angiologia e Pneumologia, U.O. di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, via Paradisa 2, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
  • Received 24 June 1998
  • Revision requested 28 August 1998
  • Revised 18 March 1999
  • Accepted 22 March 1999

Abstract

BACKGROUND The long acting β2 agonist salmeterol is very effective in preventing asthmatic responses to specific stimuli, and this effect could theoretically be due to some anti-inflammatory property in addition to bronchodilator property.

METHODS The protective effect of a single dose of salmeterol (50 μg) on allergen induced early and late responses and on the associated airway inflammation was investigated in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study in 11 atopic asthmatic subjects. Eosinophil percentages and concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in peripheral blood and in hypertonic saline induced sputum were measured 24 hours after allergen inhalation.

RESULTS Salmeterol effectively inhibited both early and late asthmatic responses in comparison with placebo. Salmeterol also inhibited the increase in the percentage of eosinophils in the sputum 24 hours after allergen inhalation (median (range) baseline 6% (1–36), after placebo 31% (5–75), after salmeterol 12% (1–63)). However, the increase in both sputum and serum ECP concentrations 24 hours after allergen challenge was not affected by pretreatment with salmeterol.

CONCLUSIONS A single dose of salmeterol inhibits the allergen induced airway responses and the increase in sputum eosinophils after allergen challenge.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Register for free content


    Free trial
    Individuals may register for a free 60 day online trial to all content.

    Free archive
    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.