Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Conditions
Brief summary
To investigate a possible mechanism of the GR defect in patients with severe COPD by studying the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on GR-GRE binding, expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-8, MKP-1, GILZ, SLPI production in sputum cells
Interventions
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with moderate (stage II, GOLD) COPD or subjects who are healthy smokers or subjects who are non-smokers. * Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Current upper respiratory tract infections * Any significant disease or disorder (e.g. cardiovascular, pulmonary (other than asthma), gastrointestinal, liver, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, metabolic, malignant, psychiatric, major physical impairment) which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the results of the study, or the subjects ability to participate in the study * Subjects not considered capable, as judged by the investigator, of following instructions of the study, e.g. because of a history of alcohol or drug abuse or any other reason
Countries
United Kingdom