Acute action of aminophylline in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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.
Berto
M C
MC
Respiratory and Neurology Divisions, UNIFESP, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Filha
S C
SC
Camelier
A
A
Rosa
F W
FW
de Souza Bulle Oliveira
A
A
Jardim
J R
JR
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
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000628:Aminophylline