title: Attenuation of nocturnal asthma by cromakalim.
abstract: In a randomised, double-blind, crossover study, single oral doses of cromakalim, a potassium-channel activator, or placebo were given to 23 patients with nocturnal asthma. There was a significant reduction (p less than 0.005) in the early morning fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after 0.5 mg cromakalim (fall 9.8% [SEM 3.2%]) compared with placebo (18.5 [2.8]%). In a repeat dosing study, administration of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg cromakalim on 5 consecutive nights to a further group of 8 asthmatic subjects significantly reduced the early morning fall in FEV1 from 28.7 (6.5)% after placebo to 19 (4.2)% after 0.25 mg and 14.9 (6.5)% after 0.5 mg. Potassium-channel activators may be useful in the treatment of asthma, especially for nocturnal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Allied Respiratory Disorders, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hopkirk
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vyse
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiew
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lavender
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D019806:Cromakalim; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D019806:Cromakalim