Theophylline

Theophylline is a methylated xanthine derivative; competitive nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor and nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist.(In Vitro):Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) (1-1000 μM) inhibits cAMP hydrolysis by PDE in homogenates of bronchial tissue to relax human bronchus and pulmonary arteries.Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) (10 μg/mL; 24 h; eosinophils) induces apoptosis through a reduction in the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2.Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) (0-500 μM; 2 h; A549 cells) inhibits NF-κB activation, I kappa B alpha (I-κBα) degradation and decreases the level of IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner.Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) (0-1000 μM; 30 min; A549 cells) induces histone deacetylase activity to decrease inflammatory gene expression.(In Vivo):Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) (100 mg/kg; i.p.; daily, for 9 d; male Swiss mice) has anti-inflammatory activity in mice and increases IL-6 and IL-10 levels and inhibits TNF-α and NO.