Effects of oral doxofylline on inflammatory changes and altered cell proliferation in chronic obstructive bronchitis

The effects of oral doxofylline (400 mg BID) on bronchial airway mucosa were investigated in 14 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. The eligible patients had to have forced expiratory volume in 1 second > 60% of the predicted value and oxygen partial tension > 55 mm Hg. At the onset and the end of the study, bronchial biopsies were performed via a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Chronic inflammation of the airways was graded according to absence of lesions = 0, involvement of 1-10% = 1, 10-50% = 2 and > 50% = 3. After three months of treatment, 57% of patients in the doxofylline group presented absence of lesions, while the remaining 43% exhibited advanced lesions. In the control group, absence of lesions was observed in 14%, while lesions of grade 1, 2 and 3 were visible in 14%, 29% and 43%, respectively. At histological examination, a significant difference in the degree of structural changes was observed in the doxofylline group between baseline and the end of the study (p < 0.03). In conclusion, doxofylline may induce favorable effects on inflammatory changes and altered cell proliferation of the airway mucosa in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis.