Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Asthma and COPD: pharmacology
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Although theophylline infusion is not a regular methods for the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma internationally, many Japanese general practionaers use it for the first line method to treat it. Even the asthma guideline published by Japan Allergy Society described how to use the infusion administration of theophylline. In this report we would like to clarify whether theophylline infusion shows the effectiveness for acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
(Patients and methods) Fifty asthmatic patients who administered inhaled steroid (BDP 400-800 mcg or FP 200-400mcg/day) but not used systemic steroid were enrolled. They were explained the significance of this study and informed consent were given. Two hundred miligram of pure theophylline was administered by vein for 1 hour. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and immediately after the end of infusion. Peripheral blood eosinophils were measured by SYSMEX-9000 analizer and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured by double antibody RIA kit.
(Results) Peripheral blood eosinophils were reduced from 650.95 ±] 93.34/μL to 578.35 ±] 75.69/μL (p=0.022) and ECP level was also reduced from 29.20 ±] 4.19(U/L) to 22.43 ±] 3.04(U/L) (p=0.011). Systemic administration od some steroids (hydrocortison, predonisolone, betamethason) did not show such changes in 1 hour.
(Discussion) Theophylline eliminate the eosinophils and ECP on acute exacerbation of asthma. This anti-inflammatory action for the acute exacerbation of asthma was faster than systemic administration of steroids.
Althogh the administration of systemic steroid and inhaled beta2-stimulant is the standard method , combined use of theophylline may more benefit for the treatment of the acute exacerbation of asthma.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
M. Kato, Y. Goto, H. Sakamoto, K. Okada (Kaizuka, Japan). Theophylline drip infusion reduces peripheral blood eosinophil counts and ECP (eosinophil cationic protein) level on acute exacerbation of asthma. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 739

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