Inhaled corticosteroids in stable COPD patients: do they have effects on cells and molecular mediators of airway inflammation?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible changes in cells and molecular mediators of airway inflammation following inhaled steroid treatment of stable COPD patients.


METHODS
Six-week open preliminary prospective study.


METHODS
A university respiratory disease clinic.


METHODS
: Stable COPD patients with mild disease.


METHODS
Six-week treatment with inhaled beclomethasone (1.5 mg die).


METHODS
The levels of interleukin (IL)-8, myeloperoxidase, eosinophilic cationic protein and tryptase, and cell numbers in bronchial lavage specimens were determined, and the symptom score, the endoscopic bronchitis index, and functional parameters were recorded.


RESULTS
After treatment there were significant reductions in the lavage levels of IL-8 ([mean +/- SEM] 1,603.4 +/- 331.2 vs 1,119.2 +/- 265.3 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0. 01) and myeloperoxidase (1,614.5 +/- 682.3 vs 511.2 +/- 144.2 microg/L, respectively; p = 0.05), in cell numbers (250.6 +/- 27.7 vs 186.3 +/- 11.5 cells x 10(3)/mL, respectively; p = 0.04), neutrophil proportion (59.7 +/- 14.3% vs 31.5 +/- 10.1%; p = 0.01), symptom score (4.5 +/- 0.6 vs 1.4 +/- 0.5; p = 0.01), and bronchitis index (8.5 +/- 0.8 vs 5.5 +/- 0.7; p = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
In stable patients with COPD, inhaled steroid treatment may induce changes on some cellular and molecular parameters of airway inflammation.
Balbi
B
B
Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute for Care and Research, Sesia, Italy. dirsan.veruno@fsm.it
Majori
M
M
Bertacco
S
S
Convertino
G
G
Cuomo
A
A
Donner
C F
CF
Pesci
A
A
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D001507:Beclomethasone