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Lipoprotein profile of children with asthma receiving long-term theophylline therapy: a preliminary study
1Department of Pediatrics, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Insights
Long-term theophylline therapy in children with asthma may alter lipid profiles, increasing cholesterol and lipoprotein levels. However, these changes do not appear to raise the risk of coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Theophylline is a bronchodilator used in asthma management.
- Potential effects of theophylline on lipid metabolism require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of long-term theophylline therapy on lipid profiles in children with asthma.
- To compare lipid profiles between theophylline-treated asthmatic children, untreated asthmatic children, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Lipid profiles were analyzed in three groups: theophylline-treated asthmatics, untreated asthmatics, and non-asthmatic controls.
- Key lipid parameters measured included total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A.
- The high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein ratio was also calculated.
Main Results:
- Theophylline-treated children exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A.
- A higher high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein ratio was observed in the theophylline-treated group.
- No increased risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease was suggested by the observed lipid profile changes.
Conclusions:
- Long-term theophylline use in pediatric asthma is associated with alterations in lipid profiles.
- These alterations, including elevated cholesterol and lipoproteins, did not indicate an increased risk for coronary artery disease.
- Further research may be warranted to fully elucidate the long-term cardiovascular implications.
Abstract:
Lipid profiles were determined in three groups of children: children with asthma receiving long-term therapy with slow-releasing theophylline, children with asthma not treated with theophylline, and a control group of children without asthma. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A levels and the high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein ratio were significantly higher among theophylline-treated children. The observed changes do not seem to increase the risks of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.