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  • Title: Correlation between airway inflammation and loss of deep-inhalation bronchoprotection in asthma.
    Author: Allen ND, Davis BE, Cockcroft DW.
    Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol; 2008 Oct; 101(4):413-8. PubMed ID: 18939731.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: One of the characteristic features of the hyperresponsive airway smooth muscle in asthma is the loss of deep-inhalation bronchoprotection and bronchodilation. The airway of individuals with asthma is also characterized by inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the loss of deep-inhalation bronchoprotection is correlated with the degree of inflammation in the asthmatic airway. METHODS: Eighteen study participants performed 2 methacholine challenges (identical doses), 1 with deep inhalations and 1 without, separated by at least 24 hours. Airway inflammation was evaluated by measurement of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) and induced sputum eosinophils. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was found between the degree of deep-inhalation bronchoprotection and airway inflammation when measured by FE(NO) (P = .02, r = .54, n = 18) and by percentage of eosinophils (P = .002, r = .76, n = 12). A significant positive correlation was also found between the FE(NO) and percentage of eosinophils (P = .009, r = .68, n = 12). CONCLUSIONS: Deep-inhalation bronchoprotection was significantly impaired in individuals with greater airway inflammation. This finding suggests that therapy directed at decreasing airway inflammation may promote the recovery of normal deep-inhalation bronchoprotection.
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