EFFECT OF BAMIPHYLLINE ON TRACHEOBRONCHIAL MUCUS CLEARANCE IN SUBJECTS WITH SMOKERS SIMPLE CHRONIC-BRONCHITIS

A double-blind study versus placebo was performed to assess the effect of bamiphylline, a new xanthylic derivative, on tracheobronchial mucu s clearance (TBMC) in smokers with simple chronic bronchitis and impai red mucus clearance as compared to normal controls. Twenty patients we re enrolled and divided into two randomized groups. The first group wa s treated with bamiphylline (600 mg b.d.) for 15 days, while the secon d group received placebo with the same oral dosage regimen. Complete c linical-functional examinations were made before and after the test pe riod to establish the effects of treatment. At the end of the study, o nly the group treated with bamiphylline showed a net increase in mucus clearance (mean radioaerosol elimination 28 +/- 7% before treatment a nd 38 +/- 11% after treatment; p < 0.01) and an improvement in the cli nical score and pulmonary function parameters, in particular the resid ual volume (RV = 3.41 +/- 0.75 liters before treatment and 2.7 +/- 0.6 after treatment; p < 0.01) and the forced expiratory volume at 1 s (F EV(1) = 2.37 +/- 0.7 liters before treatment and 2.88 +/- 0.5 after tr eatment; p < 0.05). No side effects or adverse reactions that could be attributed to the study drug were observed.