Effects of theophylline combined with inhaled corticosteroids on patients with moderate and severe asthma and changes of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a common respiratory disease. Theophylline combined with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a promising therapy for asthma. This study explored the therapeutic effects of ICS combined with theophylline on moderate and severe asthma patients and T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+ CD8+ T cells) in peripheral blood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 202 moderate and severe asthma patients were selected, with 101 treated with theophylline combined with ICS and 101 treated with ICS alone as controls. Lung function [forced expiratory volume within 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF)] were tested using a spirometer. Asthma symptom control was evaluated by asthma control tests (ACT). The life quality was evaluated using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). The number and percentage of CD3+ T, CD3+ CD4+ T and CD3+ CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed by flow cytometry. The correlation between CD3+ CD8+ T cells and lung function and asthma control of patients after combination therapy was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS: Compared with moderate and severe patients treated with ICS alone, theophylline improved the efficacy of ICS. Theophylline combined with ICS decreased IL-4 and IL-6 levels, and CD3+ T and CD3+ CD8+ T cell number and percentage. After combined treatment, CD3+ CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients were positively correlated with lung function and negatively correlated with asthma control.

CONCLUSIONS: The additional use of theophylline improved the efficacy of corticosteroids in asthma patient treatment and reduced inflammation level and CD3+ T and CD3+ CD8+ T cell contents in peripheral blood.