Randomized placebo controlled assessment of airway inflammation due to racemic albuterol and levalbuterol via exhaled nitric oxide testing.
OBJECTIVE
The S-stereoisomer found in racemic albuterol may have associated proinflammatory properties. We tested the hypothesis that airway inflammation as assessed by exhaled nitric oxide is no different in patients with COPD when using racemic albuterol relative to levalbuterol or placebo.


METHODS
Twelve mild to moderate COPD patients were assigned to five days each of nebulized racemic albuterol, levalbuterol, and saline placebo. Before and after each course of treatment, airway inflammation was assessed via exhaled nitric oxide breath testing. Secondary functional outcomes that were measured included spirometry, a functional assessment utilizing a six-minute walk, and symptoms score using the University of California, San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in pre and post FeNO levels within and between treatment groups (p = 0.121). There were also no significant differences within or between treatment groups for the secondary outcome measurements of FEV1 (p = 0.913), functional assessment utilizing a six-minute walk (p = 0.838) and the symptom scores using Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (p = 0.500).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no difference in mild to moderate COPD patients treated with racemic albuterol, levalbuterol or placebo for measurement of exhaled nitric oxide or the secondary outcomes that were measured.
USAF, Department of Allergy/Immunology, Travis AFB, CA 94535, USA. john.freiler@travis.af.mil
John F
JF
Freiler
Rajiv
R
Arora
Thomas C
TC
Kelley
Larry
L
Hagan
Patrick F
PF
Allan
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013147:Spirometry
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000420:Albuterol