title: Human corticotropin-releasing hormone improves overnight FEV1 in nocturnal asthma.
abstract: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties independent of its effect on adrenal function. We investigated the safety and effect of CRH in nocturnal asthma, a disease where inflammation is prominent. Five subjects underwent an overnight infusion of placebo on the first night, CRH at a 2.5 micrograms/kg/hr on the second night, and three subjects received CRH at 4.0 micrograms/kg/hr on the third night. A significant improvement occurred in overnight change in forced expiratory volume 1 sec. % (delta FEV1) with CRH (+17.4 +/- 9.1%) as opposed to placebo (-25.9 +/- 7.1%), p = 0.024, CRH was well tolerated. Further research with CRH may clarify the pathophysiology of nocturnal asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georges
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000139:chemically induced; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone