Long-term treatment with theophylline reduces neutrophils, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundThe non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline has bronchodilator/anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used in the treatment of airways diseases. We determined the effect of long-term theophylline treatment on airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Populations and methodsSeventeen stable COPD patients were enrolled in the 12-month study. Theophylline was administered at 400 mg/day. We studied changes in symptoms, spirometry, sputum volume, and sputum inflammatory cytokines levels. We also examined the effects of theophylline on the release of inflammatory cytokines in vitro by measuring interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αα levels from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophils and THP-1 cells.ResultsForced vital capacity was increased and sputum IL-8 levels decreased after 4 weeks of theophylline treatment. After 6 months of theophylline treatment, forced expiratory volume in 1 s was increased, and neutrophils counts and TNF-α levels in sputum were reduced. Levels of IL-8 and TNF-α released by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells were reduced by treatment with theophylline at 10 μg/ml. In contrast, IL-8 levels released by LPS-stimulated neutrophils were reduced by treatment with theophylline at 100 μg/ml.ConclusionOur clinical study of small population showed that long-term treatment with theophylline seems to reduce airway inflammation in stable COPD patients.