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Effect of triiodothyronine on cyclic AMP and pulmonary function tests in bronchial asthma
K abdel Khalek1, M el Kholy, M Rafik
1Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Triiodothyronine (T3) therapy improved asthma symptoms and pulmonary function in children. This treatment enhanced cyclic AMP (c-AMP) levels and reduced the need for bronchodilators, showing T3 as a safe and effective asthma management adjunct.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic bronchial asthma significantly impacts children's quality of life.
- Current asthma therapies aim to manage symptoms and reduce exacerbations.
- The role of thyroid hormones in asthma pathophysiology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic effect of triiodothyronine (T3) in children with chronic asthma.
- To assess the impact of T3 on pulmonary function and cyclic AMP (c-AMP) levels.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of T3 as an adjunctive therapy for pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- A 30-day trial involving 23 clinically euthyroid children with chronic asthma.
- Administration of triiodothyronine (T3) alongside usual asthma medications.
- Assessment of pulmonary function tests, plasma and sputum c-AMP, and plasma T3 levels before and after T3 therapy.
Main Results:
- All patients reported subjective improvement in asthma symptoms and fewer exacerbations.
- Significant improvements were observed in pulmonary function tests.
- Elevated plasma and sputum c-AMP levels were noted post-T3 administration.
- Seven patients discontinued usual antiasthmatic medications, relying solely on T3.
Conclusions:
- Triiodothyronine (T3) demonstrates a beneficial effect in managing chronic asthma in children.
- T3 therapy may improve asthma control by enhancing c-AMP synthesis.
- T3 is a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for pediatric asthma, potentially reducing bronchodilator dependence.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of triiodothyronine, determined by pulmonary function tests and c-AMP plasma and sputum levels, in asthmatic children. Twenty-three children clinically euthyroid and complaining of chronic bronchial asthma were given a triiodothyronine (T3) supply for a period of 30 days. Pulmonary function tests, plasma and sputum cyclic AMP and plasma T3 levels were performed prior to and after T3 therapy. Patients were requested to continue on their usual antiasthma medicines and to try reduction of the doses of the drugs they needed as possible. All patients tolerated well the T3 regimen without any adverse effect. They all reported at the end of the 30 days an obvious subjective improvement of their asthmatic conditions with a decrease in the number of exacerbations. Seven patients stopped their usual antiasthmatic medicines, being maintained on T3 only and 3 have decreased the amount of bronchodilators needed. A significant improvement of pulmonary function tests was noted in all patients. Also, significantly increased levels of plasma and sputum c-AMP were observed after T3 administration in comparison to the control and pretest values. No statistical differences were found in plasma T3 between the control and the patients either before or after T3 therapy. The study revealed that T3 administration to clinically euthyroid chronic asthmatic children induced a beneficial effect. This might be through improvement of c-AMP synthesis. T3 in the doses used is devoid of side effects, proves to be a useful adjuvant to classic antiasthma therapy, and may reduce the amount of bronchodilators needed.