Curcumins-rich curry diet and pulmonary function in asian older adults.

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51753

Authors: Ng TP, Niti M, Yap KB, Tan WC

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research on the effects of dietary nutrients on respiratory health in human populations have not investigated curcumin, a potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound present principally in turmeric used in large amounts in Asian curry meals.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of curry intake with pulmonary function among smokers and non-smokers.
DESIGN: The frequency of curry intake, respiratory risk factors and spirometry were measured in a population-based study of 2,478 Chinese older adults aged 55 and above in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies.
RESULTS: Curry intake (at least once monthly) was significantly associated with better FEV(1) (b = 0.045±0.018, p = 0.011) and FEV(1)/FVC (b = 1.14±0.52, p = 0.029) in multivariate analyses that controlled simultaneously for gender, age, height, height-squared, smoking, occupational exposure and asthma/COPD history and other dietary or supplementary intakes. Increasing levels of curry intake ('never or rarely', 'occasional', 'often', 'very often') were associated with higher mean adjusted FEV(1) (p for linear trend = 0.001) and FEV(1)/FVC% (p for linear trend = 0.048). Significant effect modifications were observed for FEV(1) (curry* smoking interaction, p = 0.028) and FEV(1)/FVC% (curry*smoking interaction, p = 0.05). There were significantly larger differences in FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC% between curry intake and non-curry intake especially among current and past smokers. The mean adjusted FEV(1) associated with curry intake was 9.2% higher among current smokers, 10.3% higher among past smokers, and 1.5% higher among non-smokers.
CONCLUSION: The possible role of curcumins in protecting the pulmonary function of smokers should be investigated in further clinical studies.

PMID: 23300564 [PubMed - in process]

Acute Effects of Aerosolized Iloprost in COPD Related Pulmonary Hypertension - A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52248

Authors: Boeck L, Tamm M, Grendelmeier P, Stolz D

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Inhaled iloprost potentially improves hemodynamics and gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH).
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate acute effects of aerosolized iloprost in patients with COPD-associated PH.
METHODS: A randomized, double blind, crossover study was conducted in 16 COPD patients with invasively confirmed PH in a single tertiary care center. Each patient received a single dose of 10 µg iloprost (low dose), 20 µg iloprost (high dose) and placebo during distinct study-visits. The primary end-point of the study was exercise capacity as assessed by the six minute walking distance.
RESULTS: Both iloprost doses failed to improve six-minute walking distance (p = 0.36). Low dose iloprost (estimated difference of the means -1.0%, p = 0.035) as well as high dose iloprost (-2.2%, p<0.001) significantly impaired oxygenation at rest. Peak oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production differed significantly over the three study days (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, accordingly). As compared to placebo, low dose iloprost was associated with reduced peak oxygen consumption (-76 ml/min, p = 0.002), elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide (0.27 kPa, p = 0.040) and impaired ventilation during exercise (-3.0l/min, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Improvement of the exercise capacity after iloprost inhalation in patients with COPD-associated mild to moderate PH is very unlikely.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN61661881.

PMID: 23300624 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles

Air pollution and respiratory symptoms among children with asthma: Vulnerability by corticosteroid use and residence area.

Sci Total Environ. 2012 Dec 26;

Authors: Lewis TC, Robins TG, Mentz GB, Zhang X, Mukherjee B, Lin X, Keeler GJ, Dvonch JT, Yip FY, O'Neill MS, Parker EA, Israel BA, Max PT, Reyes A, Community Action Against Asthma (CAAA) Steering Committee

Abstract
RATIONALE: Information on how ambient air pollution affects susceptible populations is needed to ensure protective air quality standards. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of community-level ambient particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O(3)) on respiratory symptoms among primarily African-American and Latino, lower-income asthmatic children living in Detroit, Michigan and to evaluate factors associated with heterogeneity in observed health effects. METHODS: A cohort of 298 children with asthma was studied prospectively from 1999 to 2002. For 14days each season over 11 seasons, children completed a respiratory symptom diary. Simultaneously, ambient pollutant concentrations were measured at two community-level monitoring sites. Logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were fit for each respiratory symptom in single pollutant models, looking for interactions by area or by corticosteroid use, a marker of more severe asthma. Exposures of interest were: daily concentrations of PM<10μm, <2.5μm, and between 10 and 2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(10-2.5,) respectively), the daily 8-hour maximum concentration of O(3) (8HrPeak), and the daily 1-hour maximum concentration of O(3) (1HrPeak). RESULTS: Outdoor PM(2.5), PM(10), 8HrPeak, and 1HrPeak O(3) concentrations were associated with increased odds of respiratory symptoms, particularly among children using corticosteroid medication and among children living in the southwest community of Detroit. Similar patterns of associations were not seen with PM(10-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: PM(2.5) and O(3) at levels near or below annual standard levels are associated with negative health impact in this population of asthmatic children. Variation in effects within the city of Detroit and among the subgroup using steroids emphasizes the importance of spatially refined exposure assessment and the need for further studies to elucidate mechanisms and effective risk reduction interventions.

PMID: 23273373 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Efficacy of theophylline plus salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination therapy in patients with asthma.

Respir Med. 2013 Jan 1;

Authors: Nie H, Zhang G, Liu M, Ding X, Huang Y, Hu S

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of theophylline plus salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination product (SFC) with SFC plus placebo in asthmatic patients. METHODS: In this randomized, stratified, parallel-group study, 325 patients were randomized to receive either 200 mg theophylline plus 50/250 μg SFC or placebo tablet plus 50/250 μg SFC twice daily for 24 weeks. Outcome variables included the level of asthma control (assessed by the Asthma Control Test) and the number of patients experiencing ≥1 exacerbations during the 24-week treatment period. Testing of lung function as well as measurement of the levels of inflammatory markers in induced sputum was performed. RESULTS: There were significantly fewer patients with ≥1 asthma exacerbation in the theophylline plus SFC group (29.6%) when compared with the SFC plus placebo group (46.9%) (p = 0.004). Theophylline plus SFC improved the FEF(25-75%) value, which indicates enhanced small airway function, to a greater extent than SFC plus placebo (66.9 ± 18.8% and 57.4 ± 17.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant decrease in eosinophil count and concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in induced sputum was also seen in the theophylline plus SFC group when compared with the SFC plus placebo group (4.1 ± 2.2% and 6.3 ± 2.7%, 63.6 ± 39.5 μg/L and 89.4 ± 45.6 μg/L, respectively; all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The combination of theophylline plus SFC may provide greater protection against asthma exacerbations, and its administration is accompanied by significant improvements in small airway function and airway inflammation.

PMID: 23290154 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]