Effect of Oral Administration of A Prostacyclin Analog (Op-41483) On Pulmonary Function and Bronchial Responsiveness in Stable Asthmatic Subjects

Abstract

To examine whether prostacyclin has an attenuating effect on nonspecific bronchial responsiveness in asthma, we measured provocative concentration of methacholine producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC₂₀-FEV₁) before and after oral administration of a chemically stable prostacyclin analog (OP-41483) (200 μg 4 times a day for 4 days) in 8 patients with stable asthma. Neither baseline pulmonary function nor PC₂₀-FEV₁ significantly improved after the treatment. These results suggest that prostacyclin may have no direct effect on bronchial responsiveness in asthmatics. Further studies using more potent and long-lasting prostacyclin mimetic will be needed to confirm the conclusion.