EFFECTS OF INSPIRED AIR CONDITIONS ON CATECHOLAMINE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE IN ASTHMA

The influence of different inspired air conditions on exercise-induced bronchoconstruction (EIB) is well appreciated. However, the mechanism by which this influence is exerted is uncertain. To determine if Vari ed inspired air conditions during exercise could affect the catecholam ine response to physical exercise, we had 13 asthmatic and 6 healthy c hildren (aged 10-18 years) undergo two bouts of cycle ergometry tests under different air conditions. One test was done while breathing cold dry (CD) air(temperature, -20.2 degrees C; relative humidity, 0%) and the other while breathing warm humid (WH) air (temperature, 34.3 degr ees C; relative humidity, 100%). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) and plasma catecholamine concentrations were recorded before and after exercise. Marked EIB (48 +/- 5% SEM fail in FEV(1) from base line) developed in all asthmatics after the CD exercise, but no EIB wa s noted after the WH exercise. Normal controls had no EIB under either test conditions. Plasma levels of catecholamines at rest, and the cha nges that occurred during and after exercise, were comparable within a s well as between the groups in both tests. Catecholamines did not ris e in asthmatics following development of EIB. These data demonstrate t hat inspired air conditions do not influence the sympathoadrenal respo nse to exercise, at least as reflected in plasma catecholamine levels. In fact, this response did not differ between asthmatics and normals, irrespective of the development of EIB. These results are consistent with previous reports about impaired catecholamine response of asthmat ics to bronchoconstriction.