The effect of salmeterol on markers of airway inflammation following segmental allergen challenge.
Inflammation is a critical component of asthma. Drugs that control asthma generally reduce the degree of airway inflammation. There is theoretical controversy surrounding the effects of beta(2)-agonists on airway inflammation, with some studies suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect, and others predicting a proinflammatory influence. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the effect of the long-acting beta(2)-agonist salmeterol on airway inflammation induced by segmental allergen challenge (SAC). We studied 13 allergic asthmatics controlled with as needed inhaled short-acting beta(2)-agonists alone, and used bronchoalveolar lavage 5 min and 48 h after SAC to assess airway inflammation, and the effects of salmeterol on this process. Salmeterol therapy improved FEV(1), but had no significant effect on the immediate or late cellular response to SAC. One measure of superoxide production was reduced, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) was reduced in baseline samples, but other indices of airway inflammation were unchanged by salmeterol therapy. We conclude that salmeterol therapy alone does not meaningfully reduce airway inflammation induced by SAC, but equally importantly, does not result in amplified inflammation.
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, and Asthma, Allergy, and Airway Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. calhounwj@msx.upmc.edu
W J
WJ
Calhoun
K L
KL
Hinton
J J
JJ
Kratzenberg
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000485:Allergens; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000485:Allergens; D015415:Biomarkers; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol