title: Efficacy of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline in asthmatic subjects.
abstract: The aim of present study was to evaluate clinical, functional, and anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline treatments in patients with mild to moderate asthma. The study included 38 patients. After a 10-day run-in period, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 received inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort Turbuhaler) 800 microg/day for 4 weeks. Group 2 received oral theophylline (Talotren tablets, 200 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks. Inhaled budesonide therapy was accompanied by a significant decrease in serum interleukin (IL)-5 levels (p < 0.0005) and blood, sputum, and nasal eosinophil counts (p < 0.005). It produced a significant reduction in daytime (p < 0.01) and nighttime (p < 0.005) symptom scores and an increase in morning (p < 0.005) and evening (p < 0.05) peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in I sec (FEV1) values (p < 0.01). Theophylline therapy was associated with a significant decrease in blood (p < 0.02) and nasal (p < 0.01) eosinophil counts and serum IL-5 levels (p < 0.01). It resulted in significant improvements in daytime and nighttime symptom scores (p < 0.05), and morning PEF and FEV1 values (p < 0.05). These changes were more significant in group I than in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to post-treatment values. Our results confirm the role of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma and are consistent with the recommendation that theophylline exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. Further studies should be conducted to determine long-term benefits of theophylline.
authors.affiliation: SSK Süreyyapaşa Center for Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morali
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Erkan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ece
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baran
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D015848:Interleukin-5; D019819:Budesonide; D013806:Theophylline