Nebulized glucagon in the treatment of bronchospasm in asthmatic patients

This study sought to determine if nebulized glucagon, a well-known smooth muscle relaxant, is effective in relieving asthmatic bronchospasm. Ten subjects, aged 12 to 26 years, with chronic stable asthma were studied in a pulmonary function laboratory under a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Bronchospasm was induced in each subject with progressive doses of nebulized methacholine until forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) had decreased at least 20% from baseline. Subjects then received either nebulized saline or 2 mg of nebulized glucagon. Spirometry was performed at 5, 15, and 30 minutes after treatment. Subjects then received 2.5 mg of nebulized albuterol and had spirometry 15 and 30 minutes thereafter. Each subject returned for testing with the alternative solution at least 1 week later. Treatment with nebulized glucagon resulted in a 58% ± 15% improvement in FEV1 15 minutes after treatment compared with 36% ± 7% after nebulized saline (P< .05). No adverse effects of glucagon treatment occurred. This study suggests that nebulized glucagon reduces methacholine-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.