Protective effect of disodium cromoglycate* against airway constriction induced by hemp dust extract Eugenija
Zuskin,
M.D., D.Sc., and Arend
Bouhuys,
M.D., Ph.D.
New Haven, Corn.
The erect of disodbum cromoglycate (DSCG) was studied in 14 healthy subjects following hemp dust extract (HDE) inhalation (IO-m& exposure). Ten subjects were given 80 mg of DSCG or a placebo and then challenged with dust aerosol a.t 30 min post-DSCG inhalation. Partial expiratory flow-volume (PEFV) curves were recorded at least 30 min after exposure, and maximum expiratory flow rates at 40% of the colztrol vital capacity [MEF40%(P)] were read from these curves. Significant acute reductions in MEF4O%(P) were recorded after HDE alone and after pretreatment with placebo (p < 0.01). There was considerable protection from a single dose of ZO mg of DSCG against hemp-induced bronchoconstriction although the aoute redwtions in MEF40%(P) were still statistically significant at 20 and 30 min postexposure. A group of 7 subjects was given 40 mg of DSCG or placebo 90 min. prior to HDE inhalation. In another experiment this group was given $0 mg of DSCG four times daily for 2 days, and on the third day challenged with HDE. The protective effect of DSCG is a short-term one: somewhat less protection was seen after 2 days of fmr times 20 mg of DSCG/day than 30 min after a single dose of 40 mg. Measurement of airway conductance (Gun) in 6 subjects demonstrated prevention of acute reductions in Gaw at low lung volumes (25% VC) in 4 out of 6 subjects. We suggest that inhaktion of 40 mg of DSCG prior to a work shift might be considered as a temporary means of protecting textile workers against the constrictor effects of dust in their work.
Several studies have shown that disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) often provides considerable protection against the airway-constricting effects of inhaled allergens’+ and of exercise.“, F It has also been reported that DSCG protects against airway constriction by agents such as platinum salts and aminoethyl ethanolamine.‘, * On the other hand, DSCG appears to have no protective effect against the airway constrictor effects of inhaled or intravenously infused histamine.9, lo These findings are consistent with the view that DSCG prevents the release of chemical mediators in asthmatic responsesll but does not affect the response to at least one mediator, histamine itself. Textile dusts cause From the Yale University Lung Research Center. This research was supported in part by Grant HL-14179 from the National Heart and Lung Institute, SCOR Program, and by Grant OH-00304 from the National Institute for OCcupational Safety and Health. Received for publication April 2, 1975. Accepted for publication May 30, 1975. Reprint requests to: A. Bouhuys, M.D., Yale University Lung Research Center, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, Conn. 06510. “Disodium cromoglycate (Aarane) and placebo were supplied by Syntelx Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. (Dr. Seymour Crepea). Vol. 57, No. 5, pp. 473-479
474
Zuskin
and
J. ALLERGY CLIN.
Bouhuys
TABLE 1. Mean changes in MEF40°/0[P) in 10 subjects after hemp dust exposure without pretreatment or following treatment (30 min pre-exposure) mg of DSCG or a placebo*
I
Treatment
HDE
Postexposure
Before exposure
30
2.32 hO.22 71.9
Zuskin,
M.D., D.Sc., and Arend
Bouhuys,
M.D., Ph.D.
New Haven, Corn.
The erect of disodbum cromoglycate (DSCG) was studied in 14 healthy subjects following hemp dust extract (HDE) inhalation (IO-m& exposure). Ten subjects were given 80 mg of DSCG or a placebo and then challenged with dust aerosol a.t 30 min post-DSCG inhalation. Partial expiratory flow-volume (PEFV) curves were recorded at least 30 min after exposure, and maximum expiratory flow rates at 40% of the colztrol vital capacity [MEF40%(P)] were read from these curves. Significant acute reductions in MEF4O%(P) were recorded after HDE alone and after pretreatment with placebo (p < 0.01). There was considerable protection from a single dose of ZO mg of DSCG against hemp-induced bronchoconstriction although the aoute redwtions in MEF40%(P) were still statistically significant at 20 and 30 min postexposure. A group of 7 subjects was given 40 mg of DSCG or placebo 90 min. prior to HDE inhalation. In another experiment this group was given $0 mg of DSCG four times daily for 2 days, and on the third day challenged with HDE. The protective effect of DSCG is a short-term one: somewhat less protection was seen after 2 days of fmr times 20 mg of DSCG/day than 30 min after a single dose of 40 mg. Measurement of airway conductance (Gun) in 6 subjects demonstrated prevention of acute reductions in Gaw at low lung volumes (25% VC) in 4 out of 6 subjects. We suggest that inhaktion of 40 mg of DSCG prior to a work shift might be considered as a temporary means of protecting textile workers against the constrictor effects of dust in their work.
Several studies have shown that disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) often provides considerable protection against the airway-constricting effects of inhaled allergens’+ and of exercise.“, F It has also been reported that DSCG protects against airway constriction by agents such as platinum salts and aminoethyl ethanolamine.‘, * On the other hand, DSCG appears to have no protective effect against the airway constrictor effects of inhaled or intravenously infused histamine.9, lo These findings are consistent with the view that DSCG prevents the release of chemical mediators in asthmatic responsesll but does not affect the response to at least one mediator, histamine itself. Textile dusts cause From the Yale University Lung Research Center. This research was supported in part by Grant HL-14179 from the National Heart and Lung Institute, SCOR Program, and by Grant OH-00304 from the National Institute for OCcupational Safety and Health. Received for publication April 2, 1975. Accepted for publication May 30, 1975. Reprint requests to: A. Bouhuys, M.D., Yale University Lung Research Center, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, Conn. 06510. “Disodium cromoglycate (Aarane) and placebo were supplied by Syntelx Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. (Dr. Seymour Crepea). Vol. 57, No. 5, pp. 473-479
474
Zuskin
and
J. ALLERGY CLIN.
Bouhuys
TABLE 1. Mean changes in MEF40°/0[P) in 10 subjects after hemp dust exposure without pretreatment or following treatment (30 min pre-exposure) mg of DSCG or a placebo*
I
Treatment
HDE
Postexposure
Before exposure
30
2.32 hO.22 71.9
