title: Inhaled corticosteroids in stable COPD patients: do they have effects on cells and molecular mediators of airway inflammation?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute for Care and Research, Sesia, Italy. dirsan.veruno@fsm.it
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balbi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majori
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertacco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Convertino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuomo
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Donner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesci
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D001507:Beclomethasone