Efficacy of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline in asthmatic subjects

The aim of present study was to evaluate clinical, functional, and antiinfl ammatory effects of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline treatments in patients with mild to moderate asthma. The study included 38 patients. Afte r a 10-day run-in period, the patients were randomly assigned into two grou ps. Group I received inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort Turbuhaler) 800 mug/day for 4 weeks. Group 2 received oral theophylline (Talotren tablets, 200 mg t wice daily) for 4 weeks. Inhaled budesonide therapy was accompanied by a si gnificant decrease in serum interleukin (IL)-5 levels (p < 0.0005) and bloo d, sputum, and nasal eosinophil counts (p < 0.005). It produced a significa nt reduction in daytime (p < 0.01) and nighttime (p < 0.005) symptom scores and an increase in morning (p < 0.005) and evening (p < 0.05) peak expirat ory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in I see (FEV1) values (p < 0.0 1). Theophylline therapy was associated with a significant decrease in bloo d (p < 0.02) and nasal (p < 0.01) eosinophil counts and serum IL-5 levels ( p < 0.01). It resulted in significant improvements in daytime and nighttime symptom scores (p < 0.05), and morning PEF and FEV1 values (p < 0.05). The se changes were more significant in group I than in group 2. There was no s tatistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to post-treatment values. Our results confirm the role of inhaled corticostero ids in the treatment of asthma and are consistent vith the recommendation t hat theophylline exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. Further studies should be conducted to determine long-term benefits of theophylline.