title: Theophylline induces a reduction in circulating interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 in atopic asthmatics.
abstract: Theophylline, a known phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been widely used as an additional bronchodilator in asthmatic patients who are not adequately controlled on high-doses of inhaled steroids. However, there is growing evidence that theophylline may also have anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects in asthma. This study investigated whether theophylline administration has an impact on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in asthmatic patients. Eight asymptomatic patients aged 30+/-1.5 yrs (mean +/- SEM) with mild atopic asthma were given a single daily dose of theophylline 150 mg or placebo in an on (theophylline)-off (placebo)-on (theophylline)-off (placebo) protocol with a 3-week duration of each on- or off- interval. Determination of serum IL-4 and IL-5 was done at baseline for all subjects and on the last day of each 3-week interval for the patients under study. Serum IL-4 levels were: 35+/-6 (baseline), 19+/-3 (on-1 interval), 29.5+/-4 (off-2), 15+/-2 (on-3) and 26+/-4 pg x mL(-1) (off-4), while IL-5 levels were 27+/-5, 18+/-4, 28+/-5, 17+/-4 and 28+/-5 pg x mL(-1), respectively. Spirometry was unchanged during the study and serum theophylline levels at the end of the two on-periods were 4.5+/-0.05 and 4.2+/-0.07 microg x mL(-1), while all patients remained asymptomatic. In conclusion, the administration of a low, single, daily dose of oral theophylline in asymptomatic patients with mild atopic asthma seems to reduce circulating interleukin-4 and interleukin-5.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, A. Fleming General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Kosmas
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Michaelides
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polychronaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roussou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toukmatzi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Polychronopoulos
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Baxevanis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D013806:Theophylline