RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the role of theophylline in relieving airway symptoms and inflammation in patients with mild asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six patients with mild asthma were randomly divided into treatment group (n=41) receiving oral theophylline at daily dose of 4 to 6 mg/kg for 16 weeks and control group (15 cases) without medication other than beta2 antagonist, which was administered when necessary in both groups. Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+)) and pulmonary function (PEF(am) and PD(20)) before and at 8 and 16 weeks during treatment were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant difference was observed in CD3+ and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte subsets after medication with theophylline (P<0.05) in the patients, and PEF(am) and PD(20) were also significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.05). Theophylline significantly improved the clinical symptom scores (P<0.05) and decreased the asthma attacks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low-dose oral theophylline may significantly relieving airway inflammation in patients with mild asthma.</p>