[Effect of 16-week use of salmeterol on ECP levels, pulmonary function tests and bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the influence of salmeterol on lung function tests (VC, FEV1), bronchial hyperreactivity (PC20) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level in serum and in sputum in 10 patients with COPD. FEV1 was less than or equal 70% of predicted values but greater than 0.6 L. FEV1%VC less or equal 60% (reversibility after 200 micrograms salbutamol between 5-15%. Patients were treated with 2 x 50 micrograms salmeterol for 16 weeks. Lung function test didn't change during the observation but hyperreactivity had decreased (0.08 + 0.1 microgram/ml before, 0.24 + 0.2 microgram/ml after 4 weeks and 0.4 + 0.16 microgram/ml after 16 weeks) ECP level had decreased in serum (53 +/- 24 micrograms/l before, 32 +/- 12 micrograms/l after 4 weeks and 36 +/- 13 micrograms/l after 16 weeks) and in sputum (2345 +/- 789 micrograms/g before 1342 +/- 894 micrograms/g after 4 weeks, 1742 mu 698 micrograms/g after 16 weeks). We concluded that salmeterol didn't change lung function test but decreased bronchial hyperreactivity and decreased ECP level in serum and sputum.