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Low dose fenoterol aerosol protects against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in mild asthmatics: a dose response study.

Sixteen subjects with mild stable asthma participated in a randomized double blind study on the effects of low dose fenoterol against histamine induced bronchoconstriction. Fenoterol aerosol at concentrations of 10, 50 and 200 micrograms and placebo were delivered at random through a metered dose inhaler as a single dose 30 min before histamine challenges on four separate occasions. Compared to placebo a fenoterol dose of 10 micrograms provided significant bronchodilatation (sRaw [s.d.] 8.3 [2.73] vs 6.3 [1.74] cm H2O* s [P less than 0.05]) and protection (PC100 sRaw [s.e.m.] 0.72 (1.31) vs 1.45 (1.39) mg/ml). The bronchodilatory and protective actions of fenoterol were more pronounced after the inhalation of 200 micrograms (P less than 0.05) with no difference between 10 and 50 micrograms fenoterol aerosol. The magnitude of bronchodilatation and protection was not correlated (r = 0.15). The results from this acute study may suggest that fenoterol at doses up to 20 times lower than routinely recommended may be an effective treatment in mild asthmatics.

Adult↗

Early- and late-phase bronchoconstriction, airway hyper-reactivity and cell influx into the lungs, after 5'-adenosine monophosphate inhalation: comparison with ovalbumin.

BACKGROUND: Antigen inhalation in atopic asthmatic patients results in an early asthmatic response (EAR), accompanied by a late asthmatic response (LAR) in 60% of patients. Inhaled 5'-adenosine monophosphate (5'-AMP) causes immediate bronchoconstriction in asthmatics but not in normal subjects. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate whether 5'-AMP can produce a LAR, airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and cell influx to the lungs, in a sensitized guinea-pig model of asthma, and to compare with the profile of activity after ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation. METHODS: Airway responses to inhaled OVA (10 microg/mL) and 5'-AMP (3 and 300 mm) of actively sensitized, conscious guinea-pigs were determined by whole body plethysmography as the change in specific airway conductance (sGaw). Inhaled histamine (1 mm) was used to investigate AHR, and cell influx was determined by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). RESULTS: Exposure to OVA revealed an EAR, and LAR at 6 h post-challenge. AHR to histamine occurred 24 h after challenge together with a significant increase in total and differential (eosinophils and macrophages) cell counts. Low dose 5'-AMP (3 mm) produced an EAR, LAR at 6 h after challenge, and AHR to histamine 12 h post-challenge. No AHR occurred 24 h after inhalation. Total and macrophage cell counts were increased significantly 6, 12 and 24 h after exposure. Bronchodilatation followed high dose 5'-AMP (300 mm), followed by a LAR at 6 h. AHR to histamine occurred 12 h after challenge, but not at 24 h. A significant increase in total and differential (eosinophils and macrophages) cell counts occurred 6, 12 and 24 h post-exposure. No changes were observed in non-sensitized guinea-pigs. CONCLUSION: OVA challenge revealed an EAR, LAR, cell influx and AHR in a guinea-pig model of asthma. This study demonstrated for the first time that a LAR and AHR to histamine can be revealed following 5'-AMP inhalation, in sensitized but not unsensitized guinea-pigs. Cell influx at 6, 12 and 24 h post-challenge suggests that it may be associated with the LAR and AHR.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Inhibitory effect of inhalation of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor on bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolized leukotriene C4 and thromboxane A2 analogue in anesthetized guinea pigs.

Effect of aerosol administration of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) on bronchoconstriction induced by aerosol leukotriene C4, histamine and a thromboxane A2 analogue (STA2) was studied in anesthetized, artificially ventilated guinea pigs in order to evaluate the effectiveness of inhalation of OKY-046 on an unfavorable mechanism of secondary release of thromboxane A2. 0.01-1.0 micrograms/ml leukotriene C4, 25-400 micrograms/ml histamine and 0.033-1.0 micrograms/ml STA2 inhaled from an ultrasonic nebulizer developed for small animals caused a dose-dependent increase of pressure at the airway opening (Pao), which is considered to be an index representing bronchial response. Pretreatment of the animals with aerosol OKY-046 (0.035 and 0.35 mg/animal) significantly reduced the airway responses produced by inhalation of leukotriene C4 and STA2, in a dose-dependent manner, while the pretreatment did not affect the histamine dose-response curve. These findings suggest that aerosol leukotriene C4 and STA2 activate thromboxane synthesis in the airway, and inhalation of OKY-046 may be useful for preventing the secondary release of thromboxane A2, which is an unfavorable mechanism in asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in immunized guinea pigs provoked by inhalation and intravenous administration of hexahydrophthalic anhydride and methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride.

We established a guinea-pig model of anaphylactic bronchoconstriction provoked in immunized animals by inhalation and intravenous administration of 4,4-methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA). Guinea pigs were immunized intradermally with either MTHPA (n = 8) or HHPA (n = 8) suspended in olive oil. Control animals (n = 8) were injected with olive oil alone. After 4 weeks, the animals were challenged during mechanical ventilation by inhalation or intravenous administration of MTHPA or HHPA conjugated with guinea-pig serum albumin (GPSA). Airway flow, and airway and esophageal pressures were measured. Resistance (R) and static compliance (Cst) of the respiratory system (rs), lung (1), and chest wall were studied with the flow-interruption technique. After challenge with MTHPA-GPSA or HHPA-GPSA, R,rs and R,1 increased dramatically while Cst,rs and Cst,1 decreased, and severe arterial hypoxia developed. The reaction occurred at a well-defined dose of anhydride and lasted about 30 min. When the same dose was repeated after 30 min, the response was much attenuated. MTHPA and HHPA can induce asthma in guinea pigs. The dose-response curve at antigen challenge is steep. Once a threshold dose is reached, a severe reaction occurs. The reactivity is then exhausted. This model may be suitable for assessing occupational asthma caused by acid anhydrides and possibly by other low-molecular-weight chemicals.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Exhaled nitric oxide and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in young male conscripts: association only in atopics.

This study was conducted to evaluate how bronchial responsiveness to direct and indirect stimuli relate to nitric oxide producing airway inflammation, and whether the relationship differs between atopic and nonatopic patients with various degrees of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a group of otherwise homogenous young men. We studied 181 consecutive non-smoking steroid-naive young male conscripts referred to military hospital because of respiratory symptoms suggesting asthma. Skin prick tests, spirometry, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and standardized airway challenges with histamine and exercise were performed. 128 patients were atopic. FENO was significantly higher in the atopic group, median 21.2 ppb, compared to 10.2 ppb in the nonatopic group. Still, 36% of all nonatopic patients had elevated FENO. Bronchial responsiveness to histamine (HIB) was similar in the two groups, but exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was stronger in atopics (P < 0.01). FENO associated significantly with atopy (P < 0.001), severity of EIB (P < 0.001) and HIB (P = 0.006) in multiple linear regression model. In separate regression models for atopic and nonatopic patients FENO associated with severity of EIB and HIB in atopic patients only. The results were similar when patients with confirmed diagnosis of asthma were analyzed separately. Our results indicate that FENO significantly associates with EIB and HIB in atopic, but not in nonatopic steroid-naïve patients with asthmatic symptoms. The finding suggests that in such atopic patients degree of airway hyperresponsiveness may reflect severity of airway inflammation. However, in nonatopic patients with similar symptoms other mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness may be more important.

Adolescent↗

Acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction modified by noise exposure in normal but not in sensitized guinea-pigs.

1. The acute (6h) exposure of guinea-pigs to white noise (110 dB) as a stress stimulus, reduced bronchial reactivity to acetylcholine (Ach) (3-1000 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) in anaesthetized animals. 2. The hyporesponsiveness to Ach in stressed animals was not confirmed in vitro on tracheal preparations (Ach 1 x 10(-9)-1 x 10(-4) g ml-1) and disappeared in vivo when the animals were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA, 100 mg kg-1 i.p. + 100 mg kg-1 s.c.). The hyporesponsiveness was also absent in ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs exposed to an aerosol of ovalbumin 60 min before testing with Ach. 3. In non-sensitized guinea-pigs, pretreatment with butoxamine (1 mg kg-1 i.v.) or with theophylline (25 mg kg-1 i.v.), completely abolished the effect of noise-exposure. In contrast, pretreatment with L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg-1 i.v.), alpha-chymotrypsin (2 U kg-1 i.v.) or with enprofylline (10 mg kg-1 i.v.), did not affect it. 4. In conclusion, our experiments reveal inhibitory mechanisms upon Ach-induced bronchoconstriction activated by a stress stimulus and this is absent in sensitized animals. These mechanisms seem to be linked to the adrenergic beta 2-receptors and a role for the purinergic system (via A-receptors) may also be present.

Acetylcholine↗

The effect of peptidase inhibitors on bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pigs in vivo.

1. Bradykinin (BK) instilled directly into the airway lumen caused bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated guinea-pigs in the presence of propranolol (1 mg kg-1 i.v.). The geometric mean dose of BK required to produce 100% increase in airway opening pressure (PD100) was 22.9 nmol (95% c.i. 11.7-44.6 nmol). 2. The dose-response curve for the effect of instilled BK was significantly shifted to the left by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril (5 and 50 nmol instillation, PD100 = 3.0, 95% c.i. 0.98-8.9, and 2.0 nmol, 95% c.i. 0.65-6.2 nmol, respectively). 3. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, phosphoramidon (5 and 50 nmol instillation) also shifted the dose-response curve for the effect of instilled BK; the PD100 values = 2.2 (95% c.i. 0.40-11.7) and 1.8 nmol (95% c.i. 0.87-3.5 nmol), respectively. 4. After pretreatment with captopril (50 nmol) and phosphoramidon (50 nmol) in combination, the dose-response curve for the effect of instilled BK (PD100 = 1.1 nmol, 95% c.i. 0.37-3.2 nmol) was similar to that obtained in the presence of each inhibitor used alone. 5. The kinase I inhibitor, DL-2-mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropionic acid (50 nmol instillation) failed to alter the dose-response curve to instilled BK (PD100 = 14.6 nmol, 95% c.i. 6.7-32.0 nmol). 6. These data suggest that both ACE and NEP degrade BK in the airway lumen, but that kininase I is not involved.

3-Mercaptopropionic Acid↗

Pharmacological modulation of inhaled sodium metabisulphite-induced airway microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig.

1. We have investigated the effects of chlorpheniramine, atropine and capsaicin pretreatment on inhaled sodium metabisulphite (MBS)-induced airway microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea-pigs in order to clarify the mechanisms involved in these responses. The effects of frusemide and nedocromil sodium were also examined. 2. Lung resistance (RL) was measured for 6 min after inhalation of MBS (20, 40, 80 and 200 mM; 30 breaths), followed by measurement of extravasation of Evans blue dye into airway tissues, used as an index of airway microvascular leakage. MBS caused an increase in RL and leakage of dye at all airway levels in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Chlorpheniramine (10 mg kg-1, i.v.), atropine (1 mg kg-1, i.v.), their combination or inhaled nedocromil sodium (10 mg ml-1, 7 min) had no effect against the airway microvascular leakage induced by 80 mM MBS (30 breaths). Capsaicin pretreatment (50 mg kg-1, s.c.) caused a significant decrease in the leakage of dye in the main bronchi and inhaled frusemide (10 mg ml-1, 7 min) also in the main bronchi and proximal intrapulmonary airway. 4. Chlorpheniramine, atropine, their combination, capsaicin pretreatment and frusemide, but not nedocromil sodium, inhibited significantly the peak RL induced by 80 mM MBS (30 breaths) by approximately 50%. 5. We conclude that a cholinergic reflex and neuropeptides released from sensory nerve endings may participate in the mechanisms of MBS-induced airway responses. Frusemide but not nedocromil sodium may have an inhibitor effect on these neural mechanisms. The inhibitory effect of nedocromil sodium against lower doses of MBS is not excluded.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig: contribution of vagal cholinergic reflexes, local axon reflexes and their modulation by BW443C81.

1 The objective of the study was to investigate the central vagal and local axon reflex components of bronchoconstrictor responses evoked by inhalation of capsaicin aerosol in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. This was accomplished by comparing the effects of bilateral vagotomy, atropine and the peripherally-acting polar enkephalin analogue, BW443C81, on bronchoconstrictor responses evoked by capsaicin. The effects of codeine were also determined. 2 Aerosols of capsaicin were generated from a 0.9 microgram ml-1 solution. Inhalation of capsaicin aerosol in 5, 10 and 15 breaths evoked dose-related bronchoconstrictor responses. The responses were immediate in onset and of extended duration. 3 Capsaicin-induced bronchoconstrictor responses were significantly inhibited following bilateral vagotomy or atropine (0.3 mg kg-1, i.v.) pretreatment by 46% +/- 14% (P less than 0.05) and 59% +/- 13% (P less than 0.01), respectively. 4 Administration of BW443C81 by intravenous infusion (3, 30 and 100 micrograms kg-1 min-1) caused a significant inhibition of capsaicin-induced bronchoconstrictor responses which achieved a greater maximum than either bilateral vagotomy or atropine. Codeine (100 micrograms kg-1 min-1, i.v.) did not significantly inhibit the bronchoconstrictor responses. 5 Inhibition of capsaicin-induced bronchoconstrictor responses by BW443C81 (30 micrograms kg-1 min-1, i.v.) was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by the peripherally-acting opioid antagonist N-methyl nalorphine (100 micrograms kg-1 min-1, i.v.). 6 These results show that capsaicin-induced bronchoconstrictor responses are mediated by at least two mechanisms, a vagal and/or cholinergic reflex pathway and a non-cholinergic pathway. BW443C81, but not codeine, significantly inhibited (P < 0.005) both mechanisms of capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction probably by an action on peripheral opioid receptors located on vagal sensory nerves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neutrophil influx into guinea-pig airway lumen during cholinergic and non-cholinergic bronchoconstriction.

Sensory nerve activation will produce adherence of neutrophils to tracheobronchial microvessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this adherence would lead to an influx of neutrophils into the airway lumen. To do this, we studied the effects of 20 minutes of vagal stimulation (1 Hz, 5 ms, 5 V) in anaesthetized and tracheostomized guinea-pigs on both lung resistance, and the cell picture in bronchoalveolar lavage. Any changes were compared to those of intravenous methacholine infusion, producing similar changes in lung resistance. Since high pressure ventilation could produce lung damage, we also studied the effects of ventilation through an extracorporeal resistor, producing a similar change in transpulmonary pressure (45 +/- 2 cmH2O) as vagal stimulation (42 +/- 4 cmH2O). The total number of cells recovered in the lavage was not increased by vagal stimulation, methacholine infusion or the extracorporeal resistor. However, both vagal stimulation and methacholine infusion significantly increased the relative number of neutrophils in the lavage compared to sham stimulated animals (21 +/- 11%, 13 +/- 4% and 4 +/- 1% respectively), but the extracorporeal resistor had no effect (4 +/- 2%). Our data suggests that prolonged bronchoconstriction per se may induce an influx of neutrophils into the airway lumen of the guinea-pig.

Animals↗

Provocation by eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea to identify exercise induced bronchoconstriction.

The International Olympic Committee Medical Commission (IOC-MC) requires notification for use of a beta(2) agonist at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. This notification will be required seven days before the event and must be accompanied by objective evidence that justifies the need to use one. The IOC-MC has expressed the viewpoint that, at present, eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) is the optimal laboratory challenge to confirm that an athlete has exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). The EVH test recommended was specifically designed to identify EIB. EVH has been performed in thousands of subjects in both the laboratory and the field. The test requires the subject to hyperventilate dry air containing 5% carbon dioxide at room temperature for six minutes at a target ventilation of 30 times the subject's forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)). The test conditions can be modified to simulate the conditions that give the athlete their symptoms with exercise. A reduction in FEV(1) of 10% or more of the value before the test is considered positive.

Asthma, Exercise-Induced↗

Decreased bronchodilating effect of salbutamol in relieving methacholine induced moderate to severe bronchoconstriction during high dose treatment with long acting beta2 agonists.

BACKGROUND: In vitro the long acting beta2 agonist salmeterol can, in contrast to formoterol, behave as a partial agonist and become a partial antagonist to other beta2 agonists. To study this in vivo, the bronchodilating effect of salbutamol was measured during methacholine induced moderate to severe bronchoconstriction in patients receiving maintenance treatment with high dose long acting beta2 agonists. METHODS: A randomised double blind crossover study was performed in 19 asthmatic patients with mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 88.4% predicted and median concentration of methacholine provoking a fall in FEV1 of 20% or more (PC(20)) of 0.62 mg/ml at entry. One hour after the last dose of 2 weeks of treatment with formoterol (24 microg twice daily by Turbuhaler), salmeterol (100 microg twice daily by Diskhaler), or placebo a methacholine provocation test was performed and continued until there was at least a 30% decrease in FEV1. Salbutamol (50 microg) was administered immediately thereafter, followed by ipratropium bromide (40 microg) after a further 30 minutes. Lung function was monitored for 1 hour after provocation. RESULTS: There was a significant bronchodilating and bronchoprotective effect after 2 weeks of active treatment. The dose of methacholine needed to provoke a fall in FEV1 of > or = 30% was higher after pretreatment with formoterol (2.48 mg) than with salmeterol (1.58 mg) or placebo (0.74 mg). The difference between formoterol and salmeterol was statistically significant: 0.7 doubling dose steps (95% CI 0.1 to 1.2, p=0.016). The immediate bronchodilating effect of subsequently administered salbutamol was significantly impaired after pretreatment with both drugs (p<0.0003 for both). Three minutes after inhaling salbutamol the increase in FEV1 relative to the pre-methacholine baseline was 15.8%, 7.3%, and 5.5% for placebo, formoterol and salmeterol, respectively (equivalent to increases of 26%, 14%, and 12%, respectively, from the lowest FEV1 after methacholine). At 30 minutes significant differences remained, but 1 hour after completing the methacholine challenge FEV1 had returned to baseline values in all three treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Formoterol has a greater intrinsic activity than salmeterol as a bronchoprotective agent, indicating that salmeterol is a partial agonist compared with formoterol in contracted human airways in vivo. Irrespective of this, prior long term treatment with both long acting beta2 agonists reduced the bronchodilating effect of an additional single dose of salbutamol equally, indicating that the development of tolerance or high receptor occupancy overshadowed any possible partial antagonistic activity of salmeterol. Patients on regular treatment with long acting beta2 agonists should be made aware that an additional single dose of a short acting beta2 agonist may become less effective.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor in exercise induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that the bronchial microcirculation has the potential to contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in asthmatic subjects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is highly expressed in asthmatic airways, increases vascular permeability. The relationship between VEGF levels in induced sputum and the severity of EIB in asthmatic subjects was studied. METHODS: The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum was examined in 23 asthmatic subjects and 11 normal controls. The asthmatic subjects performed an exercise test and the % maximal fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) was measured. Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 400 micro g twice daily was administered to the asthmatic subjects for 8 weeks and the exercise test and sputum induction were repeated. RESULTS: The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum was significantly higher in asthmatic subjects than in normal controls. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of VEGF and the % maximal fall in FEV(1) (r=0.826, p=0.0001) and between the concentration of VEGF and airway vascular permeability index (r=0.621, p=0.0037). After treatment with inhaled BDP there was a significant decrease in the concentration of VEGF in the asthmatic subjects (before treatment: 7051 (2361) pg/ml, after treatment: 4498 (2135) pg/ml, p<0.0001). The change in the concentration of VEGF was significantly correlated with the change in the % maximal fall in FEV(1) (r=0.463, p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Excessive production of VEGF in asthmatic airways may contribute to the pathogenesis of EIB via increased airway vascular permeability.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effect of methacholine induced bronchoconstriction on the spectral characteristics of breath sounds in asthma.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of breath sounds by digital techniques offers an attractive non-invasive method of monitoring changes in airway calibre. Asthmatic breath sounds have been analysed and related to changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). METHODS: Bronchoconstriction was induced with methacholine in six asthmatic subjects on two occasions and changes in FEV1 and breath sound spectra were measured. RESULTS: Audible wheeze appeared after a mean (SE) fall in FEV1 of 35% (6.3%) but the level was not reproducible within patients. The mean and median frequency of the spectra of breath sounds correlated with the percentage of predicted FEV1 (r = -0.5 and -0.6 respectively; p < 0.001). Inclusion of the quartile frequencies in a stepwise multiple regression reduced the residual variance by a further 9%. CONCLUSION: Detecting changes in airway calibre by this method of sound analysis so far produces qualitative data only and will not yield quantitative data in individual patients.

Asthma↗

Histamine induced bronchoconstriction and end tidal inspiratory activity in man.

BACKGROUND: End tidal inspiratory activity (ETIA) in diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscles can be evoked in man and in animals by administration of histamine. Exacerbations of asthma and administration of histamine are often accompanied by hyperinflation. The aims of the study were to determine (1) the magnitude of ETIA in response to histamine in man, (2) the relative contributions of chemical and mechanical stimulation of airway receptors to ETIA, and (3) the importance of ETIA to hyperinflation. METHODS: The effects of inhalation of histamine on the electrical activities of the diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscles measured with surface electrodes were studied in 21 subjects. The experiments were repeated after inhalation of 600 micrograms of salbutamol to prevent histamine induced bronchoconstriction and concomitant mechanical stimulation of airway receptors. Subjects were connected to a closed breathing circuit to measure the changes in functional residual capacity (FRC) for the different experiments. RESULTS: The mean values of histamine induced ETIA were 60.6% and 46.9% of peak inspiratory activities during control conditions for the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, respectively. After salbutamol histamine induced ETIA was reduced to about one quarter of pre-salbutamol values. FRC increased by 427 ml as a result of inhalation of histamine, but after salbutamol this increase was only 53 ml. The data for ETIA and FRC were interpreted as indicating that the contributions of airflow limitation and ETIA to histamine induced hyperinflation are comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Histamine is a forceful stimulus for inducing ETIA. Both chemical and mechanical stimulation of airway receptors contribute to evoke ETIA, of which the contribution of mechanical stimulation is the more important one. ETIA contributes substantially to histamine induced hyperinflation.

Adolescent↗

Adenosine monophosphate and histamine induced bronchoconstriction: repeatability and protection by terbutaline.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is thought to cause bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients indirectly through mast cell mediator release. It may therefore be a more sensitive marker of airway inflammation in asthma and hence more specific for epidemiological surveys of asthma than challenges that act directly on airway smooth muscle such as histamine. There is some uncertainty as to how repeatable the measurement is and this is important if it is to be used for epidemiological studies. METHODS: The response to histamine and AMP challenges and the protection afforded by terbutaline (500 micrograms) against these two challenges was measured on two occasions two weeks apart in 20 subjects with asthma (19 completed the study). The response to histamine and AMP was measured as the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PD20) and the protection afforded by terbutaline in doubling doses (DD). Repeatability was assessed as the limits of agreement. RESULTS: Although terbutaline had a slightly greater protective effect against AMP than histamine on both the first (delta PD20 = 2.66 versus 2.11 DD) and second occasion (2.56 and 2.15 DD), the differences were not statistically significant. The limits of agreement for the two histamine and two AMP challenges after placebo were from 3.06 to -3.5 and from 3.78 to -4.54 DD respectively, and these values did not differ significantly. The agreement limits between the first PD20 histamine and PD20 AMP values after placebo were similar, being from 3.73 to -3.72 DD after allowing for the 17.8-fold higher PD20 values for AMP compared with histamine. CONCLUSIONS: Terbutaline caused a slightly greater inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor response to AMP than histamine but the differences were small and non-significant. Any differences in repeatability between AMP and histamine challenges are small and in this study were not significant. The fact that the agreement between histamine and AMP PD20 values was similar to the agreement between repeat histamine or repeat AMP PD20 values suggests that, within an asthmatic population, PD20 AMP may not be providing different information from that provided by PD20 histamine.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Sample size estimation in studies monitoring exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: The repeatability of the response to standardised treadmill exercise testing using dry air and monitoring of heart rate in asthmatic children suffering from exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) has not been well established. METHODS: Twenty seven asthmatic children with known EIB performed standardised exercise testing twice within a period of three weeks. The tests were performed on a treadmill while breathing dry air. During both tests heart rate had to reach 90% of the predicted maximum. Response to exercise was expressed as % fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) from baseline and as area under the curve (AUC) of the time-response curve. RESULTS: The intra-class correlation coefficients for % fall and AUC (log-transformed) were 0.57 and 0.67, respectively. From these data, power curves were constructed that allowed estimations to be made of sample sizes required for studies of EIB in children. These indicated that, if a drug is expected to reduce EIB by 50%, as few as 12 patients would be sufficient to demonstrate this effect (90% power) using a parallel design study. CONCLUSIONS: Standardised exercise testing for EIB using dry air and monitoring of heart rate is adequately repeatable for use in research and clinical practice in children with asthma.

Adolescent↗

Effects of swimming training on aerobic capacity and exercise induced bronchoconstriction in children with bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine whether swimming training improved aerobic capacity, exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine in children with asthma. METHODS: Eight children with mild or moderate asthma participated in swimming training every day for six weeks. The intensity of training was individually determined and set at 125% of the child's lactate threshold (LT), measured using a swimming ergometer. Another group of eight asthmatic children served as control subjects. Aerobic capacity and the degree of EIB were assessed by both cycle ergometer and swimming ergometer before and after swimming training. RESULTS: The mean (SD) aerobic capacity at LT increased by 0.26 (0.11) kp after training when assessed with the swimming ergometer and by 10.6 (4.5) W when assessed with the cycle ergometer, and these changes were significantly different from the control group. The mean (SD) maximum % fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to an exercise challenge (cycle ergometer) set at 175% of LT decreased from 38.7 (15.4)% before training to 17.9 (17.6)% after training, but with no significant difference from the control group. There was, however, no difference in histamine responsiveness when compared before and after the training period. CONCLUSION: A six week swimming training programme has a beneficial effect on aerobic capacity but not on histamine responsiveness in children with asthma.

Asthma↗