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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Christopher WardORCiD
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In-vitro data suggest that long-acting β2-agonists may have a neutrophil-stabilising effect. A reduction in airway wall eosinophil number following introduction of salmeterol in persistent asthma has previously been described. There is currently interest in the "neutrophil system" in asthma, and thus the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of salmeterol on interleukin (IL)-8, neutrophils and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in persistent asthma. In the same 12-week double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled study as described previously, the effects on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) IL-8, neutrophils and MPO of introducing salmeterol (50 μg b.i.d.) or giving additional inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone 100 μg b.i.d.) in 45 subjects with persistent asthma already on low/moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids were further investigated. At baseline, BALF IL-8 but not neutrophil or MPO levels were significantly raised in the asthmatic subjects compared to normal controls. MPO levels correlated strongly with IL-8 levels, and weakly with BALF neutrophil numbers in the asthmatics. Fluticasone treatment resulted in significantly elevated neutrophil numbers, but not MPO or IL-8 levels. In contrast, introducing salmeterol significantly reduced IL-8 and MPO levels, but did not affect BALF neutrophil numbers. Interestingly, salmeterol and fluticasone showed significantly contrasting effects on MPO and neutrophils, and there was a divergent effect on IL-8 levels that almost reached significance. Excessive interleukin-8 levels may be relevant to asthma pathogenesis, even in the setting of moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Reduction in interleukin-8 production and possibly stabilisation of airway neutrophil numbers may explain the greater clinical benefit of adding a long-acting β2-agonist rather than merely increasing inhaled corticosteroid doses. Indeed, high-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy alone may promote airway neutrophilia.
Author(s): Reid DW, Ward C, Wang N, Zheng L, Bish R, Orsida B, Walters EH
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Respiratory Journal
Year: 2003
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Pages: 994-999
ISSN (print): 0903-1936
ISSN (electronic): 0904-1850
Publisher: European Respiratory Society
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/09031936.03.00109702
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.03.00109702
PubMed id: 12797494
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