Evaluation Inhaled Corticosteroids on Exhaled Nitric Oxide Gas Exchange
Evaluation Inhaled Corticosteroids on Exhaled Nitric Oxide Gas Exchange
To evaluate the role of inhaled corticosteroids to suppress nitric oxide gas exchange in
 stable patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who are current non-smokers and not on oral
 corticosteroids.
Stable, non-smoking COPD patients not on oral corticosteroids will be randomized in single
 blinded study to evaluate nitric oxide gas exchange at baseline, and subsequent effects of
 fluticasone 100mcg/salmeterol 50mcg bid, and fluticasone 250mcg/salmeterol 50mcg bid. Primary
 end points will include measurements of nitric oxide at varying expiratory flow rates to
 calculate bronchial, and small airway/alveolar nitric oxide. Secondary end points will
 evaluate lung function. Exhaled nitric oxide production presumably reflects endogenous
 inflammation. Normal healthy, non-smoking controls will be used for comparison, with exhaled
 nitric oxide measured before and after 3 weeks of low dose inhlaed corticosteroids.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Clinical diagnosis of copd

 -  Current non-smoker

 -  Not on oral corticosteroids

 -  Must be able to use Advair discus or salmeterol discus

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Current smoker

 -  On corticosteroids

 -  Clinically unstable