SUMMARY
What is known and objective: Upper respiratory
tract infections (URTI) frequently cause exacerbations
of chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Stimulation of the innate immune system
may provide an early defence against such
infections. The objective of this study was to
determine whether Echinacea purpurea (EP) along
with micronutrients may alleviate COPD exacerbations
caused by acute URTI.
Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled trial in COPD patients with
acute URTI. Patients were given ciprofloxacin for
7 days and additionally one tablet per day of EP,
of EP along with zinc, selenium and ascorbic acid
(EP+), or of placebo until day 14. Serum levels of
TNF a and interleukins 1b, 6 and 10 were measured
before and after treatment. Until week 4
post-end of treatment, all patients had to daily
report on COPD symptoms in diaries.
Results and Discussion: In total, 108 mostly male
patients with a mean age of 65Æ8 years (40–
81 years) were enrolled. Patients of the three
treatment arms did not vary significantly in
baseline characteristics. EP+, but not EP resulted
in significantly less severe and shorter exacerbation
episodes following URTI as compared with
SU