Effect of theophylline associated with short-acting or long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether, in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, administration of theophylline in combination with short-acting or long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo or each of these drugs used in isolation. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All randomized and double-blind clinical trials found in the literature were selected. RESULTS: A total of eight studies were included. In comparing the effect of theophylline combined with beta2-agonists to that of a placebo, we found a statistically significant improvement in mean FEV1 (0.27 L; 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.43) and mean dyspnea (-0.78; 95% CI: -1.26 to -0.29). None of the meta-analyses performed detected any difference between the results obtained using theophylline combined with beta2-agonists and those obtained using beta2-agonists alone. When the administration of theophylline combined with beta2-agonists was compared to that of theophylline alone, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean dyspnea (-0.19; 95% CI: -0.34 to 0.04). CONCLUSION: In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo in terms of improving FEV1 and dyspnea. In addition, theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is more efficacious than is theophylline in improving dyspnea. Furthermore, administration of theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is no more efficacious, for any of the variables studied, than is the use of beta2-agonists in isolation.

Efeito da teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista inalatório de curta ou longa duração, em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica estável: revisão sistemática / Effect of theophylline associated with short-acting or long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar se o tratamento com teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista inalatório de curta ou longa duração é mais eficaz que o placebo e que o uso isolado de cada um dos fármacos, para os pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica estável. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática com metanálise, sendo selecionados todos os ensaios clínicos aleatórios e duplo-cegos encontrados na literatura. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos oito estudos. Teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista vs. placebo: houve melhora estatisticamente significante para o VEF1 (L), com média 0,27 (IC95 por cento 0,11 a 0,43); e para a dispnéia, com média -0,78 (IC95 por cento -1,26 a -0,29). Teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista vs. beta2-agonista isolado: nenhuma das metanálises realizadas detectou diferença entre os grupos. Teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista vs. teofilina isolada: houve melhora estatisticamente significante para a dispnéia, com média -0,19 (IC95 por cento -0,34 a -0,04). CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica estável: 1) teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista é mais eficaz que o placebo, em relação ao VEF1 e dispnéia; 2a) teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista é mais eficaz que a teofilina isolada, em relação à dispnéia; e 2b) teofilina associada ao beta2-agonista não é mais eficaz que o beta2-agonista isolado, para quaisquer das variáveis estudadas.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether, in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, administration of theophylline in combination with short-acting or long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo or each of these drugs used in isolation. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All randomized and double-blind clinical trials found in the literature were selected. RESULTS: A total of eight studies were included. In comparing the effect of theophylline combined with beta2-agonists to that of a placebo, we found a statistically significant improvement in mean FEV1 (0.27 L; 95 percentCI: 0.11 to 0.43) and mean dyspnea (-0.78; 95 percentCI: -1.26 to -0.29). None of the meta-analyses performed detected any difference between the results obtained using theophylline combined with beta2-agonists and those obtained using beta2-agonists alone. When the administration of theophylline combined with beta2-agonists was compared to that of theophylline alone, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean dyspnea (-0.19; 95 percentCI: -0.34 to 0.04). CONCLUSION: In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo in terms of improving FEV1 and dyspnea. In addition, theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is more efficacious than is theophylline in improving dyspnea. Furthermore, administration of theophylline combined with beta2 agonists is no more efficacious, for any of the variables studied, than is the use of beta2-agonists in isolation.

Pharmacological evidence for the presence of a beta-adrenoceptor-like agonist in the amphinoid polychaete Eurythoe complanata.

1. Methanolic extracts from the body wall of Eurythoe complanata (ExEc) were tested for biological activity on the isolated rat ileum. 2. ExEc produced either relaxation or relaxation followed by contraction of the rat ileum in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. The predominant relaxation response to ExEc was completely blocked by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol and was unaffected by the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine. 4. The results indicate that the relaxation induced by ExEc is mediated by beta-adrenoceptors. The presence of a myorelaxing substance in E. complanata that selectively activates the beta-adrenoceptors is suggested.