Budesonide/formoterol enhances the expression of pro Surfactant Protein-B in lungs of COPD patients.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale & aim

Pulmonary surfactants are essential components of lung homeostasis. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), surfactant expression decreases in lungs whereas, there is a paradoxical increase in protein expression in plasma. The latter has been associated with poor health outcomes in COPD. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of surfactants and other pneumoproteins in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and plasma to airflow limitation and the effects of budesonide/formoterol on this relationship.

Methods

We recruited (clinical trials.gov identifier: NCT00569712) 7 smokers without COPD and 30 ex and current smokers with COPD who were free of exacerbations for at least 4 weeks. All subjects were treated with budesonide/formoterol 4

SUBMITTER: Um SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3873417 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature