study of respiratory muscle function after high doses of corticosteroids

Seven cases with diseases, other than respiratory, with normal pulmonary and inspiratory muscle function, and who received high doses of corticosteroids were recruited to the present study, They were subjected to measuring mouth pressure during maximum static inspiratory efforts [PImax], mouth pressure during maximum static expiratory efforts [PE max], and trans-diaphragmatic pressure [Pdi]. These parameters were assessed before treatment as well as 2, 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of therapy with corticosteroids. A gradual reduction in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength was observed, starting beyond 2 weeks of therapy. So, large doses of corticosteroids have deleterious effects on respiratory muscle functions, and corticosteroid therapy should be looked at very cautiously in patients with respiratory disorders

Post prandial changes in pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation in COPD patients after high carbohydrate and high fat diet

This study has been carried out on 14 stable cases of COPD and 8 normal controls in order to assess the pattern of pulmonary gas exchange on ventilation in response to a high-carbohydrate diet and then after a high fat diet. The response was different between normal subjects and patients on one hand, and between the 2 diets on the other hand. In controls, after a high carbohydrate diet, VO[2], VCO[2], RQ and end-tidal CO[2] rised with a significant difference from values obtained following the high fat diet, VE did not arise significantly. On the other hand, all parameters raised significantly in patients after the high carbohydrate load, except for end-tidal CO[2]. VE markedly increased in patients which adds a further burden on their already deranged pulmonary performance. In contrast, normal subjects reacted by an increase in end-tidal CO[2] leading to a maintained P[a]CO[2] level. The study concluded that high fat diet may be of benefit to cases of COPD, and high carbohydrate loads are better avoided. This conclusion seems to be important to dieticians and people taking care of nutrition of COPD patients

Non specific bronchial hyperreactivity in congestive heart failure, effect of diuretic therapy

Bronchial hyper-reactivity is considered an important factor in congestive heart failure. In 15 adult males with CHF, we assessed PC20 histamine during an episode of failure and 72 hours after intensive diuretic therapy. Weight, lung volumes, chest X-ray and arterial blood gases were done before and after diuretic therapy. After diuretic therapy, there was significant improvement in pulmonary function tests, arterial oxygen tension, chest X-ray findings and PC20. We concluded that, bronchial hyper-reactivity is a feature of CHF and acute diuretic treatment is beneficial in its management