Formoterol attenuates neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

Airway neutrophil levels are increased in patients with severe asthma and during asthma exacerbations. Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs), such as formoterol, reduce the number of asthma exacerbations. While beta2-agonists may affect neutrophil function in vitro, it is uncertain whether they have effects on neutrophilic inflammation in asthmatic patients in vivo.

DESIGN:

In a double-blind randomized crossover study, we evaluated the effects of 4 weeks of treatment with formoterol (Turbuhaler), 24 microg bid, compared to placebo on sputum neutrophil numbers and interleukin (IL)-8 levels in asthmatic patients. Therapy with budesonide (administered via Turbuhaler), 400 microg bid for 4 weeks, was added at the end as a "gold standard" antiinflammatory effect comparison.

PATIENTS:

We studied 15 steroid-naïve nonsmoking patients who ranged from 19 to 51 years of age and had mild persistent asthma.

RESULTS:

Formoterol therapy significantly reduced sputum IL-8 levels and neutrophil numbers compared to placebo. There was a significant correlation between the reduction in sputum IL-8 levels and the number of neutrophils, indicating that formoterol may attenuate neutrophilic airway inflammation by inhibiting IL-8 production.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest that the LABA formoterol reduces neutrophilic airway inflammation in patients with mild asthma and that this might be beneficial in preventing asthma exacerbations.

• Authors: Kittipong Maneechotesuwan, Sarah Essilfie-Quaye, Sally Meah, Claire Kelly, Sergei A Kharitonov, Ian M Adcock, Peter J Barnes
• Journal: Chest (Chest) Vol. 128 Issue 4 Pg. 1936-42 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0012-3692 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16236838 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bronchodilator Agents
• Ethanolamines
• Methacholine Chloride
• Nitric Oxide
• Formoterol Fumarate

Topics

• Adult
• Asthma (blood, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Bronchodilator Agents (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Ethanolamines (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Forced Expiratory Volume
• Formoterol Fumarate
• Humans
• Inflammation (prevention & control)
• Male
• Methacholine Chloride (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Neutrophils (physiology)
• Nitric Oxide (analysis)
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Vital Capacity