Effects of triptolide on serum cytokine levels, symptoms and pulmonary function in patients with steroid- resistant asthma / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the influences of triptolide on serum cytokines, symptoms and pulmonary function in patients with steroid - resistant asthma, so as to investigate if there is therapeutic effect of triptolide on these patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients with steroid - resistant asthma were randomly divided into two groups (A and B, n =8 for each group). All of the patients took procaterol (50 - 100 μg/d) and theophylline (400 mg/d) orally as baseline treatment. Additionally, triptolide was prescribed for group A (33 μg, orally, three times per day for 4 weeks). Asthmatic symptom score calculation, serum cytokines ( interferon - γ, IFN - γ; interleukin - 4, IL - 4; and interleukin - 5, IL - 5)determination and pulmonary function test (FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25% ) were undertaken before and at the end of the study. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant difference was found between group A and group B with respect to the above mentioned indices. Following the administration of triptolide, group A had significantly increased serum IFN -γlevel, FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25%, and significantly decreased asthmatic symptom score and serum IL-4, IL-5 levels (P＜0.01 compared with baseline in the same group, and P＜0.05 compared with group B at the end of the study). Compared with baseline, no significant change was observed for group B regarding all the indices at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Triptolide in combination with procaterol and theophylline may be a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of steroid - resistant asthma.