Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by abnormal inflammatory response of lungs to noxious particles or gases. The aim of this study is to search the influence of tiatropim bromur treatment on airway inflammation and symptom score in stable COPD patients. Methods: Tiatropium bromide treatment with 18 mcg daily dose, was started in newly diagnosed, consecutive mild –moderate stable COPD patients. Peroxynitrite, interleukin-6 (IL-6), 8- isoprostan and tumour necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the expired breath condensate fluid before the treatment and at the end of first month. Each symptom (cough, sputum production and dyspnea) was evaluated on a 4-point scale by the patients. Results: Twenty-two patients (81% men), with a mean age 65.4±10.1 years were included in the study. The mean nitrotirozine and 8-isoprostan levels for oxidative stress marker in EBC before and after treatment were 4.5±2.3, 3.5±1.9 pg/ml (p:0.06) and 7.3±10.8, 8.1±11.7 pg/ml (p: 0.28) respectively. The mean IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels for inflammation marker in EBC before and after treatment were 1.03±1.1, 0.77±0.8 (p: 0.41) and 27.8±2.6, 29.2±5.7 pg/ml (p: 0.36) respectively. The mean symptom scores decreased significantly with tiatropium and also a mean 124.6±0.86 ml increase was observed in Forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV 1 ). Conclusion: There were no significant changes for inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in expired breath condensate fluid after a tiataropium treatment of one month, but tiatropium treatment helps to control symptoms in COPD with an increase in FEV 1 .
Özol et al. (2011) studied this question.