Effect of inhaled amiloride on the bronchial response to methacholine and cold air hyperventilation challenges

Inhaled amiloride has been recently demonstrated to have an effect on the decline of pulmonary function in patients with cystic fibrosis. Other diuretics have been demonstrated to provide protection against bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects. We report on the effect of inhaled amiloride on cold air hyperventilation challenge (CAHC) and methacholine challenge in asthmatics. We studied nine subjects with mild-moderate asthma in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Our results showed amiloride did not significantly protect against the bronchoconstriction induced by CAHC. Inhaled amiloride did not affect FEV1 in the hour after inhalation, and there was no significant difference between placebo or amiloride on the dose of methacholine causing a 20 percent fall in FEV1. Inhaled amiloride appears not to have a profile of action as previously seen with inhaled furosemide.