title: Effect of inhaled heparin on methacholine-induced bronchial hyperreactivity.
abstract: Although heparin is used as an anticoagulant, its biologic function has remained unclear since the 1920s. Glycosaminoglycan heparin possesses multiple noncoagulant properties, including anti-inflammatory actions, and it is possible that heparin may inhibit airway hyperreactivity. Thus, the purpose of the present investigation was to study the effect of inhaled heparin on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. Thirteen subjects (7 women, 6 men) with mild asthma were included in the study. Bronchial provocation tests were performed in a single-blind, crossover, randomized order and repeated 45 min after placebo or aerosolized heparin inhalation (1,000 U/kg). The heparin inhibited bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine. In the methacholine challenge test, heparin treatment resulted in an increase in the mean PD20 over placebo: 5.26 +/- 4.80 mg/mL vs 10.57 +/- 5.72 mg/mL (p < 0.0002). These data suggest that inhaled heparin may have an inhibitory role on methacholine bronchial challenge, possibly via a direct effect on smooth muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ceyhan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Celikel
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D006493:Heparin