The effect of six week treatment with theophylline on the concentration ofTNF alpha and sIL-2R in serum in patients with mild asthma

20 asthmatic patients at average age 34,8+/-11,4 years were qualified for t his study. All of them were measured airways responsiveness to histamine (P C20H) according to Cockcroft's method. Lung function tests were carried out by means of ABC PNEUMO (abc MED). 1 tablet a 200mg of theophylline (Theo-D ur, Astra S)per day was given. Peripheral blood samples for measuring the c oncentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha) was taken before and after theophylline therapy. C oncentration of sIL-2R were measured by Predicta Interleukin 2 Receptor Kit (Genzyme). Plasma TNF alpha level was estimated by Elisa R&D systems Quant ikine HS. The concentration both of TNF alpha and sIL-2R did not significan tly change during therapy. This study showed that anti-inflammatory effect of theophylline might not be caused by lowered concentration of this mediat ors in serum of patients with mild asthma.