Lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be improved acutely by oral corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Whether clinical improvement can be maintained by subsequent inhaled therapy is unknown. COPD patients (n=1,022, mean prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 36% predicted) initially received formoterol (9 microg b.i.d.) and oral prednisolone...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of budesonide and salbutamol on the surfactant biophysical properties. The surface-tension properties of two bovine lipid extracts [bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) and Survanta] and a rat lung lavage natural surfactant were evaluated in vitro by the captive bubble surfactometer. Measurements were obtained before and after th...

BACKGROUND It is desirable to prescribe the minimal effective dose of inhaled steroids to control asthma. To ensure that inflammation is suppressed whilst using the lowest possible dose, a sensitive and specific method for assessing airway inflammation is needed. METHODS The usefulness of exhaled nitric oxide (NO), sputum eosinophils, and methacholine airway responsiveness (PC20) for monitori...

BACKGROUND In many patients with mild asthma, the low frequency of symptoms and the episodic nature of exacerbations make adherence to regular maintenance treatment difficult. This often leads to over-reliance on short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) reliever medication and under-treatment of the underlying inflammation, with poor control of asthma symptoms and increased risk of exacerbations. The use...

AIMS This retrospective, observational cohort study aimed to compare treatment outcomes and healthcare costs in the year after initiation of maintenance treatment with budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone in a German healthcare setting. METHODS Data on German asthma patients initiating treatment with budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone between June 2001 and June 2005 we...

BACKGROUND The balance between production and degradation of extracellular matrix is crucial in maintaining normal tissue structure. This study was designed to investigate the effect of budesonide on fibroblast-mediated tissue repair and remodeling. METHODS Using human fetal lung fibroblasts in a three-dimensional collagen gel culture system, we investigated the effect of budesonide (1-1000 n...

UNLABELLED IL-5 is the primary cytokine that stimulates the production and survival of eosinophils and basophils from progenitor cells. The inhaled glucocorticoid, budesonide, has been shown to exert a therapeutic effect via suppression of eosinophil/basophil progenitors in vivo. Since various steroids have exhibited the ability to enhance eosinophil/basophil progenitor differentiation, we exam...

Severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in newborns is often treated by exogenous surfactant. Because its efficacy is reduced by meconium-induced inflammation, glucocorticoid budesonide was added into surfactant preparation Curosurf to enhance efficacy of the surfactant therapy in experimental model of MAS. Oxygen-ventilated rabbits were intratracheally given meconium (25 mg/ml, 4 ml/kg) to i...

BACKGROUND Steroid dependent patients with Crohn's disease are at high risk of developing glucocorticosteroid induced side effects. AIMS We evaluated the possibility of switching from systemic steroids to budesonide (Entocort) in prednisolone/prednisone dependent patients with inactive Crohn's disease affecting the ileum and/or ascending colon. PATIENTS Steroid dependent patients with a Cro...

This 12-month dose-titration study assessed the effectiveness of budesonide/formoterol for maintenance plus relief with a control group using salmeterol/fluticasone for maintenance plus salbutamol for relief. Adolescents and adults (n = 2,143; mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 73% predicted; mean inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) 884 microg.day(-1)) were randomised to budesonide/for...