The effect of telithromycin on inflammatory markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Aim : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of telithromycin on sputum interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods : Thirty four patients with mild to moderate COPD were enrolled in this prospective, single center, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Subjects received either telithromycin or placebo for 10 days. Before and after treatment period spirometric tests, arterial blood gas analyses were performed, sputum samples were taken for measurement of sputum inflammatory markers, and spu-tum was induced. Results : There was no statistical difference in baseline clinical or laboratory parameters between groups. After the treatment, the induced sputum IL-8, TNF-α, , MPO levels is similar compared with pretreatment levels. Conclusion : In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of telithro-mycin in stable COPD patients were not demonstrated. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.