Effect of budesonide and salbutamol on surfactant properties

The objective of this study was to valuate the in vitro effect of budesonid e and salbutamol on the surfactant biophysical properties. The surface-tens ion properties of two bovine lipid extracts [bovine lipid extract surfactan t (BLES) and Survanta] and a rat lung lavage natural surfactant were evalua ted in vitro by the captive bubble surfactometer. Measurements were obtaine d before and after the addition of a low and high concentration of budesoni de and salbutamol. Whereas salbutamol had no significant effect, budesonide markedly reduced the surface-tension-lowering properties of all surfactant preparations. Surfactant adsorption (decrease in surface tension vs. time) was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) at a high budesonide concentration wi th BLES, both concentrations with Survanta, and a low concentration with na tural surfactant. At both concentrations, budesonide reduced (P < 0.01) Sur vanta film stability (minimal surface vs. time at minimum bubble volume), w hereas no changes were seen with BLES. The minimal surface tension obtained for all surfactant preparations was significantly higher (P < 0.01), and t he percentage of film area compression required to reach minimum surface te nsion was significantly lower after the addition of budesonide. In conclusi on, budesonide, at concentrations used therapeutically, adversely affects t he surface-tension-lowering properties of surfactant. We speculate that it may have the same adverse effect an the human surfactant.