Low dose oral theophylline effects on HS-CRP in stable COPD patients

Low dose theophylline may have some anti-inflammatory effects on COPD patients. This study was conducted to determine the effect of oral low dose theophylline on serum CRP level in patients with stable COPD. In this double blind randomized clinical trail study, 50 patients (25 in experimental and 25 in placebo group) were enrolled into the study by randomized blocking method. Serum HS-CRP using ELISA method was measured before and after the study. Data was analyzed using t-test and paired t-test. There was no significant difference in gender, age, smoking and spirometry variables before study between two groups. Serum HS-CRP level remained the same between two groups before and after the intervention. More studies with large sample size needed to find anti-inflammatory effect of theophylline on macrophages and neutrophils and their derivative inflammatory materials in COPD patients.