Sodium Pyruvate Bronchodilation in Asthmatics

Sodium Pyruvate, an intermediate metabolite, has been investigated as a therapeutic agent to reduce reactive oxygen species in the lung. Evaluation of FEV1 as a safety parameter and sequela of reactive oxygen species reduction identified inhaled Sodium Pyruvate as a potential bronchodilator.

A number of lung diseases are typically characterized by marked inflammation at the site of the lung injury. This inflammatory process leads to further destruction of surrounding healthy lung tissue, and a continuation and expansion of the sites of inflammation. This inflammatory process results in the production of reactive oxygen species, including superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, at the site of inflammation.

Nitric oxide is a known bronchodilator, as well as a vasodilator. It has been used successfully used to treat patients with various pulmonary disorders. 1 When endogenous nitric oxide is exposed to oxygen radicals, however, it is converted to the toxic oxidant nitrogen dioxide, and its bronchodilating effect is mitigated. Conversely, nitrogen dioxide is a known deep lung irritant. Its adverse consequences include the following: pulmonary inflammation; reduced levels of lung antioxidants 2; impairment of respiratory defense mechanisms leading to increased susceptibility to respiratory pathogens 3 and increased incidence and severity of respiratory infections; reduced lung function, and increased asthma and COPD symptoms.

Reactive oxygen species, especially superoxide anions, are known to compromise lung function by increasing bronchoconstriction. As a result of the increasing inflammation and the production of reactive oxygen species, and the decrease in nitric oxide that is believed to occur with the interstitial lung diseases, healthy tissue is damaged and lung function is compromised.

Based on our present understanding of the disease process involved with these lung diseases, it appears that an intervention in the inflammatory process that would result in a reduction in reactive oxygen species and a subsequent increase in nitric oxide could be an effective way to intervene in the disease process. This intervention would prevent the further spread of inflammation and lung damage caused by the production of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, and increase lung function by increasing bronchodilation.