Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhaled heparin on bronchoconstriction induced by ultrasonically nebulised distilled water (UNDW) in allergic asthmatics. Methods: Eight atopic asthmatics, hyperresponsive to UNDW, were selected for this randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover double-blind study. On two consecutive days, these subjects underwent a UNDW challenge 45 min after inhaling aerosolised heparin (1000 U/kg) or placebo. Results: Neither heparin nor placebo had a significant effect on base-line forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), but heparin significantly attenuated UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction, as shown by its efficacy in preventing the decreases in FEV1 produced by all doses of water (in comparison with placebo, P < 0.95 after 2 ml water, P < 0.01 after 4, 8 and 16 ml water). Conclusion: Inhaled heparin is able to exert a protective effect against the bronchoconstrictive response to UNDW in allergic asthmatics, and this action is likely due to inhibition of mast cell degranulation.

Effect of inhaled heparin on water-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic asthmatics.

VATRELLA, Alessandro;
2001-01-01

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhaled heparin on bronchoconstriction induced by ultrasonically nebulised distilled water (UNDW) in allergic asthmatics. Methods: Eight atopic asthmatics, hyperresponsive to UNDW, were selected for this randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover double-blind study. On two consecutive days, these subjects underwent a UNDW challenge 45 min after inhaling aerosolised heparin (1000 U/kg) or placebo. Results: Neither heparin nor placebo had a significant effect on base-line forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), but heparin significantly attenuated UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction, as shown by its efficacy in preventing the decreases in FEV1 produced by all doses of water (in comparison with placebo, P < 0.95 after 2 ml water, P < 0.01 after 4, 8 and 16 ml water). Conclusion: Inhaled heparin is able to exert a protective effect against the bronchoconstrictive response to UNDW in allergic asthmatics, and this action is likely due to inhibition of mast cell degranulation.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/3821078
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 14
social impact