Carvacrol ameliorates haematological parameters, oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers and pulmonary function tests in patients with sulphur mustard-induced lung disorders: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of carvacrol (CAR) on pulmonary function tests (PFT), haematological indices and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in patients with sulphur mustard (SM)-induced lung disorders was examined. METHODS: Twenty patients exposed to SM 27-30 years ago were divided into two groups and treated with either placebo (P) or CAR (1.2 mg/kg per day) (n = 10 for each group). Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), total and different white blood cell (WBC), haematological parameters and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers were measured at the baseline (step 0), one and two months (steps I and II, respectively) after starting the treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: PEF was significantly increased in the CAR-treated group in step II compared to step 0 (P < .01). Total WBC (P < .01) and neutrophil (P < .05) count in the CAR-treated group were significantly decreased in the group in steps I and II (P < .01 for both cases) compared to step 0. The levels of thiol, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the CAR-treated group were significantly increased (P < .05 to P < .001) in steps I and II, but malondialdehyde significantly decreased in step II compared to step 0 (P < .01). The percentage of total and differential WBC, oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers, FVC and PEF values following a two-month treatment period were significantly improved in the CAR-treated group compared to the placebo group (P < .05 to P < .001). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Two-month treatment with CAR reduced inflammatory cells and oxidant biomarkers, whereas increased antioxidant biomarkers and improved PFT tests in SM-exposed patients.

The impact of "Ramadan fasting period" on total and differential white blood cells, haematological indices, inflammatory biomarker, respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests of healthy and asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND: There is no conclusive evidence regarding the effect of fasting on different features in asthmatic patients. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting in asthmatic patients and healthy control was studied. METHODS: Haematological indices, inflammatory mediators, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and respiratory symptoms were evaluated in 15 asthmatic patients compared to 14 healthy matched control group before and after the one-month fasting period in Ramadan. The change in each parameter from the beginning to the end of Ramadan was calculated and referred to as 'variation during Ramadan'. RESULTS: The values of MCH, MCHC in both groups and monocyte counts in asthmatic patients, were significantly increased but platelet count was reduced in asthmatic and controls respectively compared to pre-Ramadan fasting period (P<0.05 to 0.001). Serum hs-CRP level in control and asthmatic groups was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting month (P<0.001 for both groups). PFT values after Ramadan fasting month in both groups were non-significantly higher compared to pre-fasting values except FVC. Respiratory symptoms in asthmatic patients were non-significantly but wheeze-o was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting period in asthma group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in variations of different parameters during Ramadan fasting period between two groups, although reduction of hs-CRP in asthmatic group was non-significantly higher than control group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Ramadan fasting period has no negative impact on asthma and may have some positive effect on asthma severity with regard to reduction of hs-CRP concentration and chest wheeze

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The impact of "Ramadan fasting period" on total and differential white blood cells, haematological indices, inflammatory biomarker, respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests of healthy and asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no conclusive evidence regarding the effect of fasting on different features in asthmatic patients. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting in asthmatic patients and healthy control was studied. METHODS: Haematological indices, inflammatory mediators, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and respiratory symptoms were evaluated in 15 asthmatic patients compared to 14 healthy matched control group before and after the one-month fasting period in Ramadan. The change in each parameter from the beginning to the end of Ramadan was calculated and referred to as "variation during Ramadan". RESULTS: The values of MCH, MCHC in both groups and monocyte counts in asthmatic patients, were significantly increased but platelet count was reduced in asthmatic and controls respectively compared to pre-Ramadan fasting period (P<0.05 to 0.001). Serum hs-CRP level in control and asthmatic groups was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting month (P<0.001 for both groups). PFT values after Ramadan fasting month in both groups were non-significantly higher compared to pre-fasting values except FVC. Respiratory symptoms in asthmatic patients were non-significantly but wheeze-o was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting period in asthma group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in variations of different parameters during Ramadan fasting period between two groups, although reduction of hs-CRP in asthmatic group was non-significantly higher than control group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Ramadan fasting period has no negative impact on asthma and may have some positive effect on asthma severity with regard to reduction of hs-CRP concentration and chest wheeze.