Effect of montelukast on exhaled leukotrienes and quality of life in asthmatic patients.

Study Objectives: In some patients with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids, suppression of inflammation is incomplete. This may be because the effect of corticosteroids on cysteinyl-leukotriene (cys-LT) biosynthesis is limited. Montelukast is a cys-LT antagonist that significantly improves asthma control in corticosteroid-treated asthmatic patients.

Increased leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate of patients with exacerbations of COPD.

Background: Exacerbations are an important feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), accounting for a large proportion of health care costs. They are associated with increased airway inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: Concentrations of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a marker of inflammation, and 8-isoprostane, a marker of oxidative stress, were measured in the exhaled breath condensate of 21 patients (11 M) with COPD during an exacerbation and 2 weeks after treatment with antibiotics.

Exhaled carbon monoxide in patients with lower respiratory tract infection.

The concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled air is increased in patients with asthma, bronchiectasis and upper respiratory tract viral infections. However there is no information about the level of CO in patients with lower respiratory tract infection. We studied a group of 35 patients (22 males) aged 45 +/- 3 (SEM) years with cough productive of purulent phlegm and pyrexia in a general practice setting.

Exhaled carbon monoxide levels elevated in diabetes and correlated with glucose concentration in blood: a new test for monitoring the disease?

Purpose: In diabetes, the interaction of glycated proteins with their cell-surface binding sites leads to oxidative stress and induction of the stress protein heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Considering that carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of HO activity, we studied the level of exhaled CO as a marker of oxidative stress in diabetes.

Methods: Eight patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1) (4 men, 4 women; [mean +/- SEM] age, 50 +/- 8 years) were studied, of whom 2 had peripheral neuropathy and 1 had renal failure.

Acupuncture in treatment of stable asthma.

Previous studies of acupuncture in asthma have reported conflicting results, some claiming benefit for some patients. We conducted a randomized, double-blind (patient and evaluator) study in 23 non-smoking asthmatics (10 M; 13 F) aged 43 +/- 15 years with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 59 +/- 16% pred. After initial assessment (respiratory function tests and Asthma Quality Life Questionnaire) patients were randomized to receive either 'real' or 'sham' acupuncture.