Effect of inhaled glutathione on airway response to 'Fog' challenge in asthmatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
We report on the effect of glutathione, an antioxidant compound on the airway response to the ultrasonically nebulised distilled water (UNDW, 'fog') challenge.


METHODS
12 subjects with mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma underwent double-blind, cross-over pretreatment, administered 30 min earlier, in a randomised order with inhaled glutathione (G) (600 mg), sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (20 mg) and placebo (P), followed by the challenge.


RESULTS
After P pretreatment UNDW challenge caused a mean 20.41% decrease in FEV-1 (p < 0.05), after G, a mean 6.04% fall in FEV-1 (p = n.s.), and after SCG a mean 5.99% fall in FEV-1 (p = n.s.).


CONCLUSIONS
G significantly attenuated 'fog'-induced falls in FEV-1 (p < 0.001 compared with P) and showed a protective effect on UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction.
Bagnato
G F
GF
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
Gulli
S
S
De Pasquale
R
R
Giacobbe
O
O
Spatari
G
G
Purello D'Ambrosio
F
F
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005978:Glutathione; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium