Abstract

Theophylline, in addition to its bronchodilator effect, may attenuate inflammation in asthma. We did a double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effect of oral theophylline on the inflammatory response of the bronchial mucosa to inhalation of allergen in 19 atopic asthmatic subjects. Bronchoscopy and bronchial biopsy were done 24 hours after allergen inhalation before and after six weeks of treatment with oral slow-release theophylline, 200 mg 12 hourly. The mean serum concentration was 36·6 μmol/L, which is below the currently-accepted therapeutic range. After treatment with theophylline there was a significant reduction in the number of EG2-positive activated eosinophils (5·9 before and 2·1 after treatment, Wilcoxon signed rank p < 0 05) and total eosinophils (16·7 before and 7 6 after treatment, p < 0·05) beneath the epithelial basement membrane. We conclude that low-dose oral theophylline attenuates airway inflammatory response to allergen inhalation in atopic asthma.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.