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Modulation of neutrophil and inflammation markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by short-term azithromycin treatment.

Author(s): Parnham MJ, Culic O, Erakovic V, Munic V, Popovic-Grle S, Barisic K, Bosnar M, Brajsa K, Cepelak I, Cuzic S, Glojnaric I, Manojlovic Z, Novak-Mircetic R, Oreskovic K, Pavicic-Beljak V, Radosevic S, Sucic M

Affiliation(s): PLIVA Research Institute Ltd, Prilaz baruna Filipovica 29, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. michael.parnham@pliva.hr

Publication date & source: 2005-07-04, Eur J Pharmacol., 517(1-2):132-43.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The anti-inflammatory potential of azithromycin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients was explored following a standard oral dosing regimen. Patients with moderate and severe COPD were treated with azithromycin (500 mg, n=16) or placebo (n=8) once daily for 3 days in a randomized, double blind design, to compare effects on inflammation markers with those seen in a previous study in healthy volunteers. A battery of tests was made on serum, blood neutrophils and sputum on days 1 (baseline), 3, 4, 11, 18 and 32. In comparison to placebo, azithromycin resulted in an early transient increase in serum nitrites plus nitrates (day 3), associated with a tendency towards an increase in the blood neutrophil oxidative burst to phorbol myristic acetate. Subsequently, prolonged decreases in blood leukocyte and platelet counts, serum acute phase protein (including C reactive protein) and soluble E-selectin and blood neutrophil lactoferrin concentrations and a transient decrease in serum interleukin-8 were observed. Blood neutrophil glutathione peroxidase activity showed a prolonged increase after azithromycin treatment. The biphasic facilitatory-then-inhibitory response to azithromycin seen in healthy volunteers is not so clearly detectable in COPD patients, only potential anti-inflammatory effects. Treatment for longer periods may give therapeutic anti-inflammatory benefit in these patients.

Page last updated: 2006-01-31

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