The protective effect of oral roxithromycin on lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To evaluate the effect of oral roxithromyein on lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyse the probable mechanism. Methods Fifty patients with COPD were divided randomly into treatment group (25 eases) and control group (25 eases). The control group was treated with base therapy, and the treatment group was treated with oral roxithromycin beside base therapy, 0.15 g, twice one day for one year. Then the changes of peripheral blood neutrophil and lung function was observed before and after treatment, and the times of acute exacerbation were statistically analyzed.Results There was significant difference in the changes of peripheral blood neutrophil in treatment group (P 0.05), but had obvious decrease in control group (P<0.05 ). There was significant difference in the changes of lung function in two groups(P<0.05 ). The times of acute exacerbation were 10(40%) in treatment group and 19 (76%) in control group, and the times of need to be in hospital were 6 (24%) and 13 (52%)respectively. There were significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Long-term oral roxithromyein can protect the lung function of COPD patients, the probable mechanism is that roxithromyein inhibit the neutrophil's function. Key words: Pulmonary disease;  chronic obstructive; Roxithromycin; Lung function