Effect of zafirlukast on methacholine and ultrasonically nebulized distilled water challenge in patients with mild asthma

P. Carratù, N. Morelli, A. X. Freire, M. Pugazhenthi, S. Guerra, R. Umberger, L. Allegra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness due to the release of multiple mediators, such as cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs). Objective: Our study was designed to investigate whether oral pretreatment with zafirlukast (a cys-LTs receptor antagonist) reduces bronchoconstriction against methacholine (MC) and ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) challenge in patients with mild asthma. Methods: Fourteen non-atopic patients (8 males, 20-42 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 97% SD ± 0.4) with mild, intermittent bronchial asthma performed a sequential weekly pulmonary function test following challenge with MC or UNDW 2 h after zafirlukast or placebo administration, according to a single-blind method. Results: We found that pretreatment with zafirlukast significantly decreased bronchoconstriction MC (maximum FEV1 drop -10.75% SD ± 1.89, p < 0.001) and UNDW induced (maximum FEV1 drop -12% SD ± 0.15, p < 0.001), while pre-treatment with placebo did not protect patients against FEV 1 drop following MC (maximum FEV1 drop -33.22% SD ± 1.42, p < 0.001) and UNDW challenge (maximum FEV1 drop -30.02% SD ± 0.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pretreatment with zafirlukast significantly reduced bronchoconstriction against MC and UNDW challenge in individuals with mild intermittent asthma, indicating that cys-LTs receptor antagonists might be useful as preventive therapy in these patients population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-253
Number of pages5
JournalRespiration
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bonchoconstriction
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Cysteinyl-leukotrienes
  • Methacholine
  • Ultrasonically nebulized distilled water
  • Zafirlukast

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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