EFFECT OF SIMVASTATIN ON CYSTIC FIBROSIS AIRWAY INFLAMMATION

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have persistent infection in the airways, which the body attempts to fight by recruiting immune cells (neutrophils) to the lung. The immune system and neutrophils are unable to completely kill the bacteria, and the response to the infection leads to inflammation (swelling) of the airways and lung damage. Nitric oxide (NO) has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in the lung. NO production is decreased in CF patients, and may contribute to the persistent infection and inflammation. Increasing the production of NO in the airways of CF patients may help decrease this inflammation and infection. This study will test the hypothesis that the administration simvastatin (Zocor¿) will increase exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and decrease markers of airway inflammation in subjects with cystic fibrosis. This is a multi-center, prospective study examining the effects of 28 days of oral simvastatin (Zocor¿) treatment on exhaled nitric oxide and measures of airway inflammation in nasal epithelial samples and induced sputum samples in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) ages 10 and older. This study will also explore the use of nasal epithelial cells as surrogate markers for lower airway inflammation.