title: Effect of zafirlukast on cough reflex sensitivity in asthmatics.
abstract: In patients with asthma, increased sensitivity of airway sensory nerves may be involved in producing bronchospasm and cough. To evaluate the effect of a leukotriene-modifying agent on cough reflex sensitivity, we measured the cough response to inhaled capsaicin before and after a 1 4-day course of therapy with zafirlukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, in a group of stable asthmatics. The concentration of capsaicin inducing two or more (C2) and five or more (C5) coughs was not altered by zafirlukast, even in those subjects demonstrating a significant change (increment or decrement) in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). These findings support previous evidence that cough and bronchoconstriction are modulated by distinct neural pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA. pdicpinigaitis@pol.net
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Dicpinigaitis
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dobkin
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002211:Capsaicin; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D002211:Capsaicin; C062735:zafirlukast