PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF NEDOCROMIL SODIUM ON CELLULAR AND BIOHUMORAL COMPONENTS PRESENT IN THE BRONCHIAL ALVEOLAR-LAVAGE FLUID AND IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD IN ATOPIC ASTHMATICS

Nedocromil sodium, a disodium salt of a pyroquinolinedicarboxylic acid , raises the bronchial hyperresponsiveness threshold, because it inhib its the mediators released by the various cells, and reduces the invol vement and activation of inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of activation of the immunocompetent cells and the main chemical mediators present in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL ) fluid from 10 atopic asthmatic patients, before and after treatment with nedocromil sodium. The following examinations were performed befo re treatment and after 120 days of therapy with nedocromil sodium at 1 6 mg/day (two 2-mg puffs x 4): the level of chemical mediators and the state of activation of immunocompetent cells in BAL fluid; immunologi cal analytes in activation of immunocompetent cells in BAL fluid; immu nological analytes in peripheral blood; aspecific bronchial challenge test with ultrasonicated bidistilled H2O fog to evaluate variations in the hyperreactivity threshold; questionnaire to determine any adverse effects of treatment (cough, breathlessness, sleep disorders). Our fi ndings demonstrate that nedocromil sodium prevents the release of chem otactic and inflammatory mediators by the effector cells and thus stab ilizes microvascular permeability and epithelial damage, so raising th e threshold of response to bronchoconstriction stimuli. Lastly, nedocr omil sodium is associated with a better preventive therapeutic efficac y and good tolerance and can therefore be suggested as a valid drug to be used in the long-term treatment of bronchial asthma.