Airway Blood Flow Reactivity in Healthy Smokers and in Ex-Smokers With or Without COPD

摘要: Study objectives Cigarette smoking has been associated with impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation responses in the brachial and coronary arteries (endothelial dysfunction). The aim of present study was to determine whether airway circulation is also affected pharmacologic treatment an effect on endothelial function patients COPD. Methods Airway blood flow (Qaw) therapy inhaled albuterol, which causes vasodilation, were measured a noninvasive soluble-gas-uptake technique age-matched healthy current smokers (n = 10), ex-smokers COPD lifetime nonsmokers. In COPD, albuterol responsiveness measurement repeated after 4 weeks fluticasone/salmeterol drug washout period or 8 weeks. Results mean (± SE) baseline Qaw values ranged between 40.7 ± 3.9 50.9 2.8 μL/min/mL anatomic dead space four groups (differences not significant). FEV 1 53.4 2.3% predicted Albuterol inhalation increased significantly nonsmokers (50.1 8.3% predicted; p Conclusions blunted vasodilator response as expression dysfunction, partial recovery cessation but latter group, combined glucocorticoid/long-acting β 2 -adrenergic agonist restores responsiveness. role dysfunction physiopathology remains be examined.