Abstract
Cigarette smoking is associated with attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (endothelial dysfunction) in the systemic circulation, including the airway circulation. We wished to determine whether an inhaled corticosteroid could restore endothelial function in the airway of lung-healthy current smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers. We measured baseline airway blood flow (Q̇aw) and Q̇aw reactivity to inhaled albuterol as an index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation and to sublingual nitroglycerin as an index of endothelium-independent vasodilation in lung-healthy current smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers. Current smokers were then treated with inhaled fluticasone for 3 wk, and all measurements were repeated after fluticasone treatment and after a subsequent 3-wk fluticasone washout period. Baseline mean Q̇aw and endothelium-independent Q̇aw reactivity were similar in the three groups. Mean endothelium-dependent Q̇aw reactivity was 49.5% in nonsmokers, 42.7% in ex-smokers, and 10.8% in current smokers (P < 0.05 vs. nonsmokers). In current smokers, mean baseline Q̇aw was unchanged after fluticasone treatment, but endothelium-dependent Q̇aw reactivity significantly increased to 34.9%. Q̇aw reactivity was again blunted after fluticasone washout. Endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by vascular reactivity, can be corrected with an inhaled corticosteroid in the airway of lung-healthy current smokers. This proof of concept can serve as the basis for future clinical investigations on the effect of glucocorticoids on endothelial function in smokers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 54-57 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of applied physiology |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2008 |
Keywords
- Airway blood flow
- Smoking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Physiology (medical)
- Endocrinology
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation