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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Influence of theophylline on activated lymphocytes and eosinophils in peripheral blood and sputum
1Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Kinki University, School of Medicine, Ohnohigashi, Osaka-sayama, Osaka, Japan. access-planning@eva.hi-ho.ne.jp
Abstract:
The influence of a once-a-day sustained-release theophylline (Uniphyl) on lymphocytes and eosinophils in the peripheral blood and sputum of patients with bronchial asthma was investigated. The peripheral blood lymphocytes included CD4, CD8, CD25 and HLA-DR. The sputum lymphocytes and eosinophils included CD4, CD8, CD25 and HLA-DR, and EG2, respectively. The results revealed that theophylline administration did not affect the numbers of activated CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. No significant change in the lymphocyte count was observed in sputum, but the eosinophil count in the sputum decreased significantly after theophylline administration. EG2-positive eosinophils also decreased in number. CD4+HLA-DR+ and CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes were significantly decreased, whereas CD8+ T lymphocytes in the sputum were not significantly reduced in number. Respiratory function test showed that forced expiratory volume in 1 s was significantly increased after theophylline administration. The results suggest that a new once-a-day sustained-release theophylline formulation would be useful in the treatment of chronic respiratory tract inflammation.
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