Table 2

 Inflammatory parameters at start and end of the run-in period

Start run-inEnd run-inp value
All values are expressed as geometric mean (SE).
ECP, eosinophil cationic protein; IL, interleukin; MPO, myeloperoxidase; RCEs, relative coefficient of excretion, representing the ratio of α2-macroglobulin to albumin in induced sputum.
Sputum eosinophils (×104/g)2.1 (1.4)0.6 (1.3)<0.001
Sputum eosinophils (%)3.2 (1.3)0.8 (1.3)<0.001
Sputum ECP (ng/ml)97 (1.3)65 (1.3)0.06
Serum IL-5 (pg/ml)1.1 (1.20.6 (1.2)<0.001
Sputum neutrophils (×104/g)28.1 (1.3)29.1 (1.3)0.98
Sputum IL-8 (ng/ml)400 (1.4)338 (1.8)0.62
Sputum MPO (μg/ml)1308 (1.3)1273 (1.3)0.95
RCEs (×103)76 (1.2)52 (1.2)0.006
Sputum α2-macroglobulin (ng/ml)1388 (1.3)984 (1.3)0.04
Sputum albumin (μg/ml)24 (1.3)21 (1.3)0.99