Searching for the synergistic effect between aclidinium and formoterol: From bench to bedside

Aim of our study was to understand if the interaction between aclidinium and formoterol administered at therapeutic doses leads to a synergistic rather than additive broncholytic effect. We tested the type of effect ex vivo on isolated human bronchi and then in vivo in COPD patients. The analysis of the interaction between aclidinium and formoterol in vitro was measured by applying the Unified Theory, whereas that in COPD patients was measured by applying the Bliss Independence criterion. Aclidinium and formoterol administered alone completely relaxed human isolated bronchial tissues sub-maximally pre-contracted with ACh in a concentration-dependent manner with similar potency (EC50: aclidinium 4.64±0.78 nM, formoterol 2.71±0.21), whereas the interaction of aclidinium plus formoterol produced moderate to strong synergism.

Source: Respiratory Medicine CME - August 12, 2015 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Mario Cazzola, Luigino Calzetta, Josuel Ora, Ermanno Puxeddu, Paola Rogliani, Maria Gabriella Matera Source Type: research