title: Inhaled budesonide influences cellular and biochemical abnormalities in pulmonary sarcoidosis.
abstract: In a randomized, double-blind study 19 patients with newly-detected pulmonary sarcoidosis were treated with either inhaled budesonide, 800 micrograms twice daily (n = 9), or placebo (n = 10) for 8-10 weeks. Before and after treatment, chest roentgenograms, lung function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biochemical tests were performed. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and beta2-microglobulin (beta 2M) concentrations were measured in serum. The same tests, as well as albumin and hyaluronan were measured in the BAL-fluid. The total cell number in BAL-fluid, differential counts and lymphocyte subpopulations were determined (total T- and B-lymphocytes, T-helper/inducer (OKT-4) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT-8) lymphocytes). No significant changes in chest roentgenograms or lung function tests were observed during the short study time. However, a decrease in serum ACE (p less than 0.1) and beta 2 M (p less than 0.05) as well as in BAL-hyaluronan (p less than 0.01) was found in the budesonide-treated patients as well as a decrease in the percentage of BAL T-lymphocytes (p less than 0.05) and the T4/T8 ratio (p less than 0.1). No significant changes were seen in the placebo group. The findings suggest that treatment with inhaled budesonide influences biochemical and cellular findings in patients with early sarcoidosis in the same way as treatment with systemic corticosteroids. The results may also explain clinical effects seen in sarcoidosis patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids. However, further studies are required to determine the long-term clinical benefits of inhaled steroids in pulmonary sarcoidosis.
authors.affiliation: Mjölbolsta Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erkkilä
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fröseth
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Hellström
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaltiokallio
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taskinen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viljanen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Viljanen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Selroos
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology; D019819:Budesonide; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011282:Pregnenediones; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D019819:Budesonide; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A