NCT01271556

Brief Summary

The cardiovascular component associated with COPD plays a major role in prognosis of the disease, being responsible of 25% of the deaths. Experimental and initial clinical data suggest that beta-adrenergic agonists accelerate clearance of excess fluid from the alveolar airspace, with potential positive effect on cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a long-acting beta-2 agonist, salmeterol, on alveolar fluid clearance in COPD patients by evaluating the diffusive and mechanical lung properties. Our experimental model to test alveolar fluid clearance was rapid saline intravenous infusion. Ten COPD and 10 healthy subjects treated with salmeterol or placebo 4 hours before the begin of the study were evaluated, in four non consecutive days, just before and after a saline infusion or a similar period without infusion. Both in COPD and healthy subjects rapid saline infusion, with placebo or salmeterol premedication, lead to a significant decrease of DLCO and FEV1. Nonetheless, salmeterol pretreatment lead to a significant reduction of the impairment of gas exchange due to saline infusion (-64% of DLCO reduction in comparison with placebo), whilst it did not affect the changes in FEV1. In the control setting, with no infusion, we did not find any significant change of both DLCO and mechanical properties of the lung. In conclusions, in COPD patients salmeterol appears to provide a protective effect against an acute alveolar fluid clereance challenge secondary to lung fluid overload providing an intriguing mechanistic explanation for the benefits observed in larger trials.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
20

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2008

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2008

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2009

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 1, 2009

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 5, 2011

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 6, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

January 6, 2011

Status Verified

December 1, 2008

Enrollment Period

3 months

First QC Date

January 5, 2011

Last Update Submit

January 5, 2011

Conditions

Keywords

COPDLABAsalmeterol

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • change caused by the effect of salmeterol on lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and its components after a challenge with rapid intravenous saline infusion

    DLCO was measured twice (Sensor Medics 2200 Pulmonary Functional Test System, USA) for each oxygen mixture, with washout intervals of at least 4 minutes (the average was taken as the final result), according to the European Respiratory Society guidelines. The single-breath alveolar volume (VA) was derived by methane dilution. Alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity (DM) and capillary blood volume available for gas exchange (Vc) were determined with the same equipment, according to the classic Roughton and Forster method

    240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment pulmonary function tests were performed

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • changes in mechanical lung properties

    240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment

Study Arms (4)

1, salmeterol, saline infusion

EXPERIMENTAL

In 10 COPD patients and 10 healthy subjects, tiotropium and long-acting and short-acting beta-2 agonists were withdrawn at least 72 hours if assumed, 24 hours, and 12 hours, respectively, prior to each test day. Salmeterol 50 mcg on days A was administered between 8 AM and 10 AM. Patients and healthy subjects underwent a rapid 50-minute 750-ml 0.9% saline infusion 240 minutes after inhalatory treatment (salmeterol 50 mcg MDI), and mixed venous blood was withdrawn for measurements of hematocrit (Htc), Hb, and albumin concentration 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the infusion. 240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment, pulmonary function tests were performed.

Drug: SalmeterolProcedure: saline infusion (0.9 per cent sodium chloride)

2, placebo, saline infusion

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

In 10 COPD patients and 10 healthy subjects, tiotropium and long-acting and short-acting beta-2 agonists were withdrawn at least 72 hours if assumed, 24 hours, and 12 hours, respectively, prior to test day. Placebo was administered between 8 AM and 10 AM. Patients and healthy subjects underwent a rapid 50-minute 750-ml 0.9% saline infusion 240 minutes after inhalatory treatment (placeboI), and mixed venous blood was withdrawn for measurements of hematocrit (Htc), Hb, and albumin concentration 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the infusion. 240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment, pulmonary function tests were performed.

Procedure: saline infusion (0.9 per cent sodium chloride)Other: Placebo

3, salmeterol, no saline infusion

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In 10 COPD patients and 10 healthy subjects, tiotropium and long-acting and short-acting beta-2 agonists were withdrawn at least 72 hours if assumed, 24 hours, and 12 hours, respectively, prior to test day. Salmeterol 50 mcg on days A was administered between 8 AM and 10 AM. 240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment, pulmonary function tests were performed.

Drug: Salmeterol

4, placebo, no saline infusion

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

In 10 COPD patients and 10 healthy subjects, tiotropium and long-acting and short-acting beta-2 agonists were withdrawn at least 72 hours if assumed, 24 hours, and 12 hours, respectively, prior to test day. Placebo was administered between 8 AM and 10 AM. 240 and 290 minutes after inhalatory treatment (placebo), pulmonary function tests were performed.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

50 mcg MDI (inhalatory), once on days A and C at t=0,

Also known as: long acting bronchodilator agents
1, salmeterol, saline infusion3, salmeterol, no saline infusion

rapid 50-minute 750-ml 0.9% saline infusion 240 minutes after inhalatory treatment on day A and B

Also known as: physiologic saline solution
1, salmeterol, saline infusion2, placebo, saline infusion
PlaceboOTHER

placebo, inhalatory (MDI) once

2, placebo, saline infusion4, placebo, no saline infusion

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years - 80 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • COPD diagnosis (consistent with the diagnostic standards of the European Respiratory Society, ERS, for the management of COPD)
  • stable condition for ≥4 weeks and had a prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of \<60% of the predicted value

You may not qualify if:

  • known allergies to the study medication
  • long-term oxygen therapy
  • history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopy, or a total blood eosinophil count greater than 400/mm3
  • chronic heart failure, untreated arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction within the last 6 months, diabetes mellitus
  • increased serum potassium levels.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Respiratory Medicine Section, Dipartimento Toraco-Polmonare e Cardiocircolatorio, Università degli Studi di Milano, San Paolo Hospital

Milan, Milan, 20142, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Interventions

Salmeterol Xinafoate

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, ObstructiveLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract DiseasesChronic DiseaseDisease AttributesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

AlbuterolEthanolaminesAmino AlcoholsAlcoholsOrganic ChemicalsAminesPhenethylaminesEthylamines

Study Officials

  • Stefano Centanni, MD

    Respiratory Medicine Section, Dipartimento Toraco-Polmonare e Cardiocircolatorio, Università degli Studi di Milano, San Paolo Hospital

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 5, 2011

First Posted

January 6, 2011

Study Start

December 1, 2008

Primary Completion

March 1, 2009

Study Completion

July 1, 2009

Last Updated

January 6, 2011

Record last verified: 2008-12

Locations