[Clinical efficacy of low-dose oral theophylline for treating mild asthma].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the role of theophylline in relieving airway symptoms and inflammation in patients with mild asthma.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with mild asthma were randomly divided into treatment group (n=41) receiving oral theophylline at daily dose of 4 to 6 mg/kg for 16 weeks and control group (15 cases) without medication other than beta2 antagonist, which was administered when necessary in both groups. Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+)) and pulmonary function (PEF(am) and PD(20)) before and at 8 and 16 weeks during treatment were measured.


RESULTS
Significant difference was observed in CD3+ and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte subsets after medication with theophylline (P<0.05) in the patients, and PEF(am) and PD(20) were also significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.05). Theophylline significantly improved the clinical symptom scores (P<0.05) and decreased the asthma attacks.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose oral theophylline may significantly relieving airway inflammation in patients with mild asthma.
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510260, China. shaodanhuang@sina.com
Shao-dan
SD
Huang
Jun
J
Yang
Shi-ye
SY
Zhang
Li-qi
LQ
Tian
Qiao-hong
QH
Pan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013806:Theophylline