Effect of short-term oral and inhaled corticosteroids on airway inflammation and responsiveness in a feline acute asthma model

作者：Leemans Jerome^*; Kirschvink Nathalie; Clercx Cecile; Snaps Frederic; Gustin Pascal

来源：Veterinary Journal, 2012, 192(1): 41-48.

DOI：10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.01.020

• Cat
• Acute asthma
• Eosinophilic bronchial inflammation
• Airway responsiveness
• Inhaled corticosteroids

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), alone or in combination with salmeterol (SAL), is as effective as oral prednisolone in reducing airway inflammation and obstruction in cats with experimentally-induced acute asthma. Six cats sensitised to Ascaris suum (AS) were enrolled in a prospective controlled therapeutic trial and underwent four aerosol challenges, at 1-month intervals with AS allergen. The allergen - stimulated animals received four consecutive days treatment with either oral prednisolone at 1 mg/kg twice daily, 500 mu g of FP inhaled twice daily, or a combination of FP/SAL at 500 mu g/50 mu g inhaled twice daily, respectively, according to a randomised cross-over design. Treatment-related changes in lung function, airway responsiveness (AR) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology were assessed. Barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) was used for the assessment of respiratory variables and AR. %26lt;br%26gt;No significant differences in respiratory rate or Penh (an estimate of airflow limitation measured by BWBP) were detected among treatment groups. Allergen-induced airway hyper-responsiveness was significantly inhibited by all three steroid treatments (P %26lt; 0.05). The mean BALF eosinophil percentage (SEM) was lower after oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatment and these changes were significant for groups receiving prednisolone and the FP/SAL combination. Findings suggest high-dose FP, particularly in combination with SAL, is effective in ameliorating airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in this model of acute feline asthma, and highlight the potential use of these drugs in cats experiencing acute exacerbations of the naturally occurring disease.

• 出版日期2012-4