title: The effects of add-on zafirlukast treatment to budesonide on bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum levels of eosinophilic cationic protein and total antioxidant capacity in asthmatic patients.
abstract: Mild persistent asthma is most effectively controlled with inhaled corticosteroids. Leukotriene receptor antagonists have complementary effects to corticosteroids on inflammation control. The additional effect of a leukotriene receptor antagonist, zafirlukast, was investigated in stable asthma patients under control with inhaled budesonide. We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single center trial to investigate the effects of add-on zafirlukast treatment to budesonide, on symptom score, pulmonary function, bronchial responsiveness, and serum levels of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and antioxidant capacity in stable asthmatic patients under control with inhaled budesonide. The present study included 21 mild or moderate asthmatic patients (8 males and 13 females), who were stable at least for 6 weeks with inhaled budesonide (400 microg/day). Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ECP levels were measured, and symptom scoring, spirometry, and bronchial provocation with methacholine were performed. Then, the patients were randomised to use either placebo or oral zafirlukast (40 mg/day) in addition to budesonide for 6 weeks. At the 6th week, symptom scoring, spirometry, and bronchial provocation tests were repeated and serum TAC and ECP levels were measured again. After add-on zafirlukast treatment to budesonide, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), TAC and ECP values did not change significantly (p > 0.05) but bronchial hyperresponsiveness and symptom score decreased significantly (p = 0.022) compared to baseline. Thus, in stable asthmatic patients, add-on zafirlukast treatment to budesonide improves symptoms and decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical of Faculty, Turkey. gulfidan70@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gulfidan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Tuncalp
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: Bilun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gemicioglu
authors.forename: Akin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydemir
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serdaroglu
authors.forename: Orkide
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Donma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010919:Placebos; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010919:Placebos; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D019819:Budesonide; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; C062735:zafirlukast