Study to Evaluate the Effects of Tiotropium Bromide on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) During Exercise

This study will investigate the effect of tiotropium on gas exchange during exercise. In addition, we hypothesize that bronchodilation by tiotropium will open functional lung units improving gas exchange in subjects with COPD. While other studies have shown that tiotropium improves exertional dyspnea and exercise tolerance, and reduces resistive and elastic work in subjects with COPD, there have been no investigations of the effects of anti-cholinergic bronchodilation on gas exchange. This study will confirm and extend earlier observations on exertional dyspnea and exercise tolerance. Efficiency of gas exchange will be evaluated through assessments of metabolic demand (VO2) cardiac output (Q), ventilation (V) in overall terms i.e. Q/VO2, V/VO2. Improved efficiency of gas exchange will reduce the ventilatory demand for a given workload, providing an alternate mechanism for the observed improvement in exertional dyspnea and exercise tolerance in subjects with COPD. The overall ventilation required to meet metabolic demands is dependent on the alveolar volume which can be easily measured using inert gases. This is conveniently measured during the DLco maneuver which will be measured. In general, ventilation increases with metabolic demand but increases progressively as the VA and KCO decline in patients with COPD. These factors may be amenable to improvement using anticholinergic agents. In addition the recruitment of additional alveolar volume provides an additional pathway for blood flow through the lung increasing overall cardiac output and enhancing the responsiveness of peripheral muscle in these patients. These have not been considered and exploited as potential therapeutic goals. Study Evaluations: Treatment Period: Visits 2, 3, 5 and 6 * Vital signs (seated) * 12 lead ECG * Medication washout compliance. * Stage one exercise test (refer to section 11.1.7) * Randomization will occur at Visit 2. * At visit two the subject will be trained in the use of a HandiHaler * Study medication will be dispensed at Visit 2 and 5 * Administer study medication (Visits 2,3,4,5 and 6) Treatment Period: Visits 4 and 7 * Vital signs (seated) * Administer study medication * Constant load exercise test (refer to section 11.1.8) * Collect study medication * Medication accountability * Adverse event (A follow up visit must be scheduled if there are any ongoing AEs at visit 7) Follow up Visit (within 30 days of visit 7): This visit will take place only if clinically significant abnormalities are seen after all results from Visit 7 are obtained and reviewed by the Investigator and Medical Monitor. After informed consent, patients will attend an initial screening visit (Visit 1) for review of medical history, clinical assessment, complete pulmonary function testing (plethysmography and spirometry). A symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise test, with measurement of incremental and peak VO2, carbon dioxide output (VCO2), minute ventilation (Ve), Vt, respiratory frequency, heart rate (HR), oxyhemoglobin saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2) and modified Borg score for breathlessness will also be performed at screening, as well as measurements of airway responses to salbutamol. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements will be randomized to treatment with tiotropium or placebo. Double-blind medication will be dispensed in HandiHalers to be taken once daily in the morning for 22 days. Patients will report to the laboratory for two separate treatment periods with a washout of 4-6 weeks between treatment periods. A patient diary card will be kept to document morning doses of study medication for calculation of compliance. The patient will return used medication capsules for confirmation of medication compliance. Safety will be assessed by examining adverse events (AEs), resting and exercise electro cardio grams (ECG's), routine laboratory tests and vital signs. In the event of treatment of an exacerbation with oral corticosteroids, any scheduled visit will be delayed for 1 week following the last dose of steroid treatment.