Respiratory symptoms and inflammatory responses to Difflam throat-spray intervention in half-marathon runners: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the effects of Difflam Forte Anti-inflammatory Throat Spray on the incidence of upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and inflammatory responses after a half-marathon race were investigated.


METHODS
Double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial conducted in association with a half-marathon event.


METHODS
45 well-trained half-marathon runners.


METHODS
Difflam (n = 25) or placebo (n = 20) throat sprays were self-administered three times daily for 1 week before and 2 weeks after the race.


METHODS
Self-reported respiratory symptoms; plasma prostaglandin E(2), myeloperoxidase, interleukin (IL) 6, IL8, IL10 and IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra) concentrations; and salivary myeloperoxidase and IL6 concentrations.


RESULTS
All subjects completed the intervention without reporting any adverse events. The proportion of athletes reporting URS was not substantially different between Difflam (52%) and placebo (56%) groups (p = 0.82). However, symptom severity scores were approximately 29% lower during Difflam treatment (4.7 (7.4) vs 6.6 (9.6)) AU). Post-exercise responses in plasma inflammatory markers did not differ substantially between Difflam and placebo groups. Post-race increases in salivary myeloperoxidase ( approximately 63%; trivial to moderate difference; p = 0.13) and salivary IL6 ( approximately 50%; trivial to moderate difference; p = 0.25) were greater in the Difflam group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic use of the Difflam reduced the severity, but not the frequency, of URS among half-marathon runners. Post-race increases in systemic inflammatory markers were not altered by Difflam use, but markers of local inflammation (salivary myeloperoxidase and IL6) were augmented in the Difflam compared with the placebo group.
Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. amanda.cox@newcastle.edu.au
A J
AJ
Cox
M
M
Gleeson
D B
DB
Pyne
P U
PU
Saunders
R
R
Callister
P A
PA
Fricker
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001591:Benzydamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D058993:Oral Sprays; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007378:Interleukins; D058993:Oral Sprays; D001591:Benzydamine; D009195:Peroxidase; D015232:Dinoprostone