Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Poster Hall (Cancún Center)
Michel Alkhalil, M.D.
,
Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of South Florida and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL
Mathew Varghese, MD
,
University of South Florida, Tampa, Tampa, FL
Gary Hellermann, PhD
,
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Shyam Mohapatra, PhD
,
USF Nanomedicine Research Center, University of South Florida College of Medicine & VA Hospital, Tampa, FL
Ahmed Butt, MD
,
Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of South Florida and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL
Richard F. Lockey, MD
,
Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of South Florida and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL
Background: Evidence exists that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a regulator of smooth muscle airway tone and is a potent bronchodilator and immune modulator in animals. Objective: Long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP), encoded by the same gene and derived from the same pro-hormone as ANP, was measured in patients with acute asthma exacerbation pre- and post-treatment with systemic or inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
Methods: Measurement of LANP was obtained from plasma samples in 15 subjects with acute asthma exacerbation, by an enzyme immunoassay technique. A repeat measurement of LANP was obtained 5-7 and 10-14 days after initiation of treatment.
Results: No significant differences were found compared to baseline in plasma LANP level after treatment of the asthma exacerbation (p=0.8904). The average LANP values were 2.12 higher in the oral glucocorticosteroid group versus the inhaled glucocorticosteroid group, (p=0.0608). There was no significant difference in LANP levels between male and females (p=0.5743), with antibiotic use (p=0.9437), or with age (p=0.6384).
Conclusions: Plasma LANP level did not differ before and after treatment for an asthma exacerbation. Measuring plasma LANP pro-hormone was not helpful in assessing treatment outcome of asthma exacerbation.
