title: The immediate effects of cortisol on pulmonary function in normals and asthmatics.
abstract: We investigated short-term effects of corticosteroids on airway caliber, measured by spirometry and body plethysmography, over a period of 6 hr after an intravenous bolus of cortisol (8 mg/kg) or saline placebo was administered in a double-blind crossover format comparing 10 normal and nine asymptomatic unmedicated asthmatics. After 6 hrs isoproterenol (240 micrograms) was administered to compare the effects of cortisol with a beta-agonist bronchodilator. Serum cortisol levels remained greater than 100 micrograms/dl after cortisol and normal after placebo. Cortisol had no effect on pulmonary function except for a trend of improved flows and decreasing ratios of residual volume to total lung capacity in asthmatics that was not significant at 6 hr. Isoproterenol resulted in immediate improvement in specific conductance and flows in both groups; no interaction with cortisol was seen. We conclude that cortisol had no short-term effect on airway caliber in normals, at best a slowly evolving effect in asymptomatic unmedicated asthmatics, and no interaction with the bronchodilator effects of a maximal dose of isoproterenol in these groups.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007545:Isoproterenol; D006854:Hydrocortisone