Abstract
It is well known that COPD is a preventable and treatable disease, characterized by not fully reversible airflow limitation. In individuals with COPD, there is a marked exacerbation of the inflammatory response, which increases with the progression of the disease. The molecular mechanism of exacerbations remains unknown; however, prolonged oxidative stress have been reported as potentially responsible for the exacerbation. Apocynin is an agent that inhibits activation of an enzyme responsible for ROS generation and thus – probably, alleviate inflammatory process.
Therefore, we investigated the effect of nebulized apocynin in fourteen COPD patients in placebo-controlled, cross-over design study. Exhaled breath condensate was collected in three timepoints (30, 60 and 120 min.) after apocynin/placebo application and H2O2 NO2- and NO3- concentrations have been evaluated. Moreover, safety parameters have been controlled throughout the study.
Apocynin reduced hydrogen peroxide concentration in exhaled breath condensate 60 and 120 minutes after apocynin nebulization comparing to placebo (0.43 μM vs. 0.59 μM and 0.41 μM vs. 0.58 μM respectively, p<0.05). Interestingly, apocynin caused decrease of NO2- concentration 30, 60 and 120 minutes after apocynin inhalation (3.9 μM vs. 4.5 μM, 3.8 μM vs. 4.5 μM and 3.7 μM vs. 4,4 μM respectively, p<0.05) comparing to placebo, but did not cause any significant changes in concentration of NO3- in any timepoint (p>0.05). No influence of apocynin on safety parameters, and no adverse effects has been observed.
Our findings suggest that apocynin might be a promising agent to soothe locally inflammatory process and improve life quality of patients suffering from COPD.
- © 2011 ERS