Changes in levels of catalase and glutathione in erythrocytes of patients with stable asthma, treated with beclomethasone dipropionate.

In asthmatic patients, antioxidant defence is decreased. Although inhaled corticosteroids decrease asthmatic inflammation and modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, little is known of their effect on cellular antioxidant levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; 1,000 microg x day(-1)) on erythrocyte antioxidant levels in stable asthmatic patients. Forty patients with stable, mild asthma were treated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study with BDP 250 microg, two puffs b.i.d. for 6 weeks. At entry and every 2 weeks during treatment, erythrocyte antioxidant levels, haematological parameters, pulmonary function tests and asthma symptoms were determined. The results show that during treatment with BDP, erythrocyte catalase levels increased (at entry (mean +/-SEM) 41+/-4, after 6 weeks 54+/-4 micromol H2O2 x min(-1) x g haemoglobin (Hb)(-1), p = 0.05 in comparison with placebo). Erythrocyte total glutathione levels significantly decreased after 6 weeks treatment with BDP (from 7.0+/-0.4 to 6.6+/-0.3 micromol x g Hb(-1) (p = 0.04)). In the BDP-treated patients, blood eosinophil counts were higher in patients who responded with an increase in erythrocyte catalase levels during BDP treatment, as compared to those not responding ((mean +/-SEM) 340+/-39 and 153+/-52x10(6) cells x L(-1), respectively, p = 0.05). The present study shows that treatment with inhaled bedomethasone dipropionate results in changes in antioxidant levels in erythrocytes of patients with stable, mild asthma.

The DD genotype of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene is negatively associated with right ventricular hypertrophy in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The renin angiotensin system plays an important role in the development of pulmonary artery remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension as may occur in patients with COPD. Several polymorphisms of genes encoding for components of the renin angiotensin system such as the M235T polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene, the 287-base-pair insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism at intron 16 of the ACE gene, and the A1166C polymorphism in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. With respect to the pulmonary circulation, only limited data exist on possible associations between polymorphisms of these genes and pulmonary hypertension and/or right ventricular hypertrophy. The objective of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship between polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin system and electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy in patients with COPD. We therefore determined the angiotensinogen (M235T), angiotensin converting enzyme (I/D), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (A1166C) genotypes in 87 patients with severe COPD and correlated these data with electrocardiographic parameters of right ventricular hypertrophy. Thirty-one patients (36%) of 87 patients with COPD showed electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy. In the male, but not in the female, subgroup, the angiotensin-converting enzyme DD genotype was negatively associated with electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy (male: chi2 = 3.8, p = 0.05; female: chi2 = 0.05, p = 0.82). We found no associations between the investigated polymorphisms in the angiotensinogen and angiotensin II type 1 receptor genes and electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha induces hyperreactivity in tracheal smooth muscle of the guinea-pig in vitro.

Recent studies have implicated a role for tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in the development of the asthmatic reaction. In this study, we examined the influence of TNFalpha on isotonic contraction of tracheal smooth muscle of the guinea-pig in vitro in response to methacholine. Tracheal rings were incubated with recombinant human (rh)TNFalpha (3x10(-11) M) for 30 min, and concentration-response curves to methacholine before and after incubation with rhTNFalpha were compared with the control. The present study demonstrates that rhTNFalpha increases maximal isotonic contraction of tracheal smooth muscle to methacholine (mean+/-SEM 169.6+/-43%, p<0.005). This effect was observed only after a 30 min delay between incubation and methacholine challenge testing. Experiments with 10(-13) - 10(-10) M rhTNF-alpha yielded similar results at all concentrations used. The effects of rhTNFalpha (10(-11) M) on tracheal hyperreactivity could be completely inhibited by coincubation with dimeric rTNF-receptor-p80 construct (10(-10) M) (p<0.01). In order to analyse secondary mediator release, experiments using coincubation with indomethacin (10(-5) M) and WEB 2086 (10(-6) M), a specific platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist, demonstrated that the effect of rhTNFalpha on tracheal rings was mediated by PAF, since WEB 2086 completely inhibited rhTNFalpha-induced hyperreactivity (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha induces hyperreactivity in tracheal smooth muscle in vitro, which was shown to be mediated by platelet activating factor. Our study emphasizes the role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the pathophysiology of bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Diagnostic value of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern in pleural effusions.

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes have been used to classify the nature of pleural effusion. Nevertheless, studies have reported conflicting results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the analysis of pleural effusions. Pleural fluid samples obtained from three respective diagnostic groups: group I transudate (n = 23), group II parapneumonic effusion (n = 29) and group III malignant effusion or pleuritis carcinomatosa (n = 41) were evaluated. Total lactate dehydrogenase activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme pattern were significantly different between transudative (group I) and exudative (group II and III) effusions. Group II and III showed a low percentage of LDH1 (p < 0.001), whereas the percentages of LDH4 (p < 0.001) and LDH5 (p < 0.001) were higher compared to group I. Moreover, in exudative effusions the percentage of LDH1 (p < 0.005), LDH4 (p < 0.005), as well as LDH5 (p < 0.005) were significantly different between parapneumonic and malignant effusions. In contrast to relative lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme values, the absolute values of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes did not differ between group II and group III. Logistic regression analysis yielded a strong discrimination between group I and II+III, simultaneously using lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and protein as explanatory variables. Logistic regression analysis yielded only a weak discrimination between group II and III, simultaneously using lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and the absolute values of LDH2 and LDH4 as explanatory variables. In conclusion, the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern differed between pleural effusions of transudative and exudative origin. However, including lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities in the biochemical work-up of pleural effusions did not reveal an additional discriminatory value in the assessment of the classification of these effusions.

Effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate on isocapnic hyperventilation with cold air in asthmatics, measured with forced oscillation technique.

Isocapnic hyperventilation with cold air (IHCA) is a reliable technique for assessing indirect bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma. Impedance measurement of the respiratory system by the forced pseudorandom noise oscillation technique is a sensitive technique to assess changes in bronchial tone after IHCA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate, 1,000 microg x day-1, on IHCA in asthmatic patients, measured with both forced oscillation technique and flow-volume recordings. Forty patients with mild asthma were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study. Stratification on the basis of sex was performed to overcome differences in airway diameter. At entry and every 2 weeks during the treatment period, IHCA was performed and patient diaries were evaluated. Characteristic changes in forced oscillation parameters after IHCA were observed in all patients. After 6 weeks of treatment, BDP-treated patients showed statistically significant differences in impedance measurements after IHCA, manifested by significant attenuation of resistance at 8 Hz (p<0.01), slope of the frequency-resistance curve (p<0.01), reactance at 8 Hz (p=0.01), and resonant frequency (f0) (p<0.02). Flow-volume recordings showed only a statistically significant change in the decrease of inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) (p=0.01). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and the effect of BDP on IHCA, measured with forced oscillation technique. In this study, beclomethasone dipropionate, 1,000 microg x day(-1) for 6 weeks, decreased indirect bronchial hyperresponsiveness as assessed by cold air bronchoprovocation in asthmatic patients. The forced oscillation technique proved a more sensitive method of detecting changes in bronchial tone than flow-volume recordings.

Presence of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein in disease: detection by ELISA.

A sandwich ELISA was developed specific for human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), using Mg++ ions to abrogate disturbance by lipopolysaccharide of BPI measurement and to prevent aspecific adherence of BPI to solid phase. In fresh EDTA or heparinized plasma of healthy volunteers BPI was not detectable, whereas in serum BPI was present, indicating that coagulation activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes to release BPI. Furthermore, BPI was present in plasma of critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients suspected of having pneumonia, in wound fluid, and in pleural fluid. In sub-groups of samples with culture-proven bacteria, mean BPI levels were increased compared with subgroups without bacteria, although the differences were only significant in EDTA plasma of ICU patients. These findings indicate the presence of BPI during pathologic conditions. The physiologic role of the released BPI has to be further elucidated.