In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial we used positron emission tomography to determine if lovastatin or recombinant human activated protein C exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in humans following intrabronchial installation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin).
Quantitative, noninvasive biomarkers for lung-specific inflammation have yet to be developed but can potentially contribute significantly to the development of therapies to treat lung inflammation. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging with \[18F}fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) can be used to quantify the change in lung inflammation in healthy volunteers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
22
Placebo pill every four hours, starting 16 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS Placebo IV starting 2 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS
lovastatin pill every four hours, total of 80 milligrams a day, starting 16 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS Placebo IV starting 2 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS
placebo pill every four hours, total of 80 milligrams a day, starting 16 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS recombinant human activated protein C IV 24 micrograms per kg per hour starting 2 hours before intrabronchial LPS and ending 24 hours after intrabronchial LPS
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Change in Ki (Measure of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) Uptake Determined by Patlak Graphical Analysis) in the Right Lung 24 Hours After LPS Instillation
Calculated Ki was used to measure the amount of lung inflammation before and after instillation of endotoxin to assess the effect of placebo, lovastatin, and rhAPC treatment
Time frame: 24 hours after endotoxin instillation
Number of Total Nucleated Cells From Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) Fluid 24 Hours After Endotoxin Instillation
Number of total nucleated cells isolated from the first aliquoe of BAL obtained to correlate with PET data.
Time frame: 24 hours after endotoxin instillation
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Endotoxin 4 ng/kg instilled bronchoscopically in all volunteers 12 hours after starting lovastatin treatment and 2 hours after starting recombinant human activated protein C treatment.