title: Acute action of aminophylline in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether aminophylline has an acute effect on the muscle performance of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study was a randomized, double-blind, crossover against placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients (48.5 +/- 14.1 years) with ALS were evaluated by means of forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal mouth inspiratory and expiratory pressures (P(Imax)/P(Emax)) and endurance, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and handgrip strength (HS); variables were measured before and after the patients received an intravenous infusion of aminophylline or placebo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MVV (P<0.02) and HS of the right and left hands (P=0.05) increased after aminophylline infusion. There was a positive correlation between FVC and P(Imax) (r=0.80; P<0.05); between MVV and P(Imax) post-aminophylline, respectively (r=0.77; P<0.05). Serum aminophylline levels ranged from 5.3 to 10.5 microg/mL (mean 7.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acute administration of aminophylline improves the endurance of respiratory muscles and increases handgrip strength in patients with ALS.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory and Neurology Divisions, UNIFESP, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Berto
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Filha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camelier
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Souza Bulle Oliveira
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jardim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000628:Aminophylline