Effects of theophylline on CD4+ T lymphocyte, interleukin-5, and interferon gamma in induced sputum of asthmatic subjects

• Published in: Acta pharmacologica Sinica Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 267 - 272
• Main Authors: Nie, Han-Xiang, Yang, Jiong, Hu, Su-Ping, Wu, Xiao-Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2002
• Subjects: Adult; Albuterol - pharmacology; Albuterol - therapeutic use; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - immunology; Bronchodilator Agents - pharmacology; Bronchodilator Agents - therapeutic use; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - pathology; Delayed-Action Preparations; Eosinophils - pathology; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interleukin-5 - metabolism; Male; Sputum - drug effects; Sputum - metabolism; Theophylline - pharmacology; Theophylline - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1671-4083

To investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of theophylline on asthma. Nineteen asthmatic subjects were administered 200 mg sustained-release theophylline twice daily for 4 weeks. The number of CD4+ T lymphocytes, eosinophils, and the levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in sputum pre- and post-administration were measured by direct immunofluorescene technique, Wright's stain and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The symptom scores and lung function were also evaluated. Theophylline treatment significantly improved symptom scores and FEV1.0, FEV1.0 % (P < 0.05) and reduced sputum eosinophils (P < 0.01) in asthmatic subjects. These were accompanied by a decrease in sputum IL-5 level (P < 0.01), but sputum CD4+ T lymphocytes and IFN-gamma had no significant change (P >0.05). The mean (range) serum theophylline concentration in final steady state was 7.9 (3.9 - 12.9) mg/L. The anti-inflammatory action of theophylline in asthma may result from reduction of IL-5 production in the airways.