Nebulized glucagon in the treatment of bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-1-1998
Abstract
This study sought to determine if nebulized glucagon, a well-known smooth muscle relaxant, is effective in relieving asthmatic bronchospasm. Ten subjects, aged 12 to 26 years, with chronic stable asthma were studied in a pulmonary function laboratory under a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Bronchospasm was induced in each subject with progressive doses of nebulized methacholine until forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) had decreased at least 20% from baseline. Subjects then received either nebulized saline or 2 mg of nebulized glucagon. Spirometry was performed at 5, 15, and 30 minutes after treatment. Subjects then received 2.5 mg of nebulized albuterol and had spirometry 15 and 30 minutes thereafter. Each subject returned for testing with the alternative solution at least 1 week later. Treatment with nebulized glucagon resulted in a 58% +/- 15% improvement in FEV1 15 minutes after treatment compared with 36% +/- 7% after nebulized saline (P < .05). No adverse effects of glucagon treatment occurred. This study suggests that nebulized glucagon reduces methacholine-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.
Volume
16
Issue
3
First Page
272
Last Page
275
ISSN
0735-6757
Published In/Presented At
Melanson, S. W., Bonfante, G., & Heller, M. B. (1998). Nebulized glucagon in the treatment of bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. The American journal of emergency medicine, 16(3), 272–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0735-6757(98)90100-0
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
9596431
Department(s)
Department of Emergency Medicine
Document Type
Article