Salmeterol resolves airway obstruction but does not possess anti-eosinophil efficacy in newly diagnosed asthma: a randomized, double-blind, parallel group biopsy study comparing the effects of salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, and disodium cromoglycate.

BACKGROUND

Salmeterol (SLM) is a long-acting beta(2)-receptor agonist that produces bronchodilatation for 12 hours in asthmatic subjects. The effects of the regular use of long-acting beta(2)-agonists on airway inflammation are largely unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the effects of 16 weeks of treatment with 50 microg SLM bid, 250 microg fluticasone propionate (FP) bid,5 mg disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) qid, or placebo on airway inflammation in bronchial mucosa.

METHODS

Airway inflammation was assessed in bronchial biopsy specimens before and after treatments and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in 80 patients with newly diagnosed asthma. Inflammatory cells and tenascin in the basement membrane were studied with immunohistochemical methods. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), symptoms, and need for rescue medication were recorded.

RESULTS

SLM, FP, and DSCG reduced symptoms and need for rescue medication (P <.04). Both SLM and FP improved PEF and increased PD15FEV(1) to histamine by 2.8 and 5.2 doubling dose units, respectively. Both compounds reduced BHR more than placebo (P <.05). Both SLM and placebo had no effect on any inflammatory cell type. In both FP-treated and DSCG-treated patients, the number of EG2-positive eosinophils in the airway mucosa decreased (P =.002 and P <.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SLM showed no anti-eosinophil properties in this study, but it provided good symptom control. FP provided the best anti-eosinophil properties and symptom relief of the studied compounds.