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Inhaled verapamil in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|April 1, 1983
Summary
Inhaled verapamil did not significantly protect against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma patients. Salbutamol provided significant protection, while verapamil showed limited effects in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
- Histamine is a potent bronchoconstrictor that can trigger asthma symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of inhaled verapamil against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects.
- To compare verapamil's efficacy with salbutamol and a saline control.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving fifteen asthmatic subjects.
- Administration of inhaled verapamil, salbutamol, or saline prior to histamine challenges.
- Assessment of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction through spirometry.
Main Results:
- Inhaled verapamil did not provide significant protection against bronchoconstriction when administered between repeated histamine challenges.
- Salbutamol demonstrated significant protection (p < 0.001) against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction.
- Limited but significant protection (p < 0.05) was observed with verapamil before a single histamine challenge in a subset of eight subjects.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled verapamil appears to have minimal protective effects against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma.
- The variability in verapamil's effect may be due to inter-subject differences or a blocking effect from prior histamine exposure.
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