Effects of fluticasone on systemic markers of inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004 Oct 1;170(7):760-5. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200404-543OC. Epub 2004 Jun 30.

Abstract

Systemic inflammation is present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We determined the effects of oral and inhaled corticosteroids on serum markers of inflammation in patients with stable COPD. We recruited 41 patients with mild to moderate COPD. After 4 weeks during which inhaled corticosteroids were discontinued, patients were assigned to fluticasone (500 mcg twice a day), oral prednisone (30 mg/day), or placebo over 2 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of fluticasone at 500 mcg twice a day and another 8 weeks at 1,000 mcg twice a day. Withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids increased baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-152%). Two weeks with inhaled fluticasone reduced CRP levels by 50% (95% CI, 9-73%); prednisone reduced it by 63% (95% CI, 29-81%). No significant changes were observed with the placebo. An additional 8 weeks of fluticasone were associated with CRP levels that were lower than those at baseline (a 29% reduction; 95% CI, 7-46%). Inhaled and oral corticosteroids are effective in reducing serum CRP levels in patients with COPD and suggest their potential use for improving cardiovascular outcomes in COPD.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Androstadienes* / immunology
  • Androstadienes* / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / immunology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / drug effects*
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL2 / immunology
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Fluticasone
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / immunology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / immunology*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Androstadienes
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Fluticasone
  • Prednisone