Effect of Triiodothyronine on Cyclic Amp and Pulmonary Function Tests in Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of triiodothyronine, determined by pulmonary function tests and c-AMP plasma and sputum levels, in asthmatic children. Twenty-three children clinically euthyroid and complaining of chronic bronchial asthma were given a triiodothyronine (T₃) supply for a period of 30 days. Pulmonary function tests, plasma and sputum cyclic AMP and plasma T₃ levels were performed prior to and after T₃ therapy. Patients were requested to continue on their usual antiasthma medicines and to try reduction of the doses of the drugs they needed as possible. All patients tolerated well the T₃ regimen without any adverse effect. They all reported at the end of the 30 days an obvious subjective improvement of their asthmatic conditions with a decrease in the number of exacerbations. Seven patients stopped their usual antiasthmatic medicines, being maintained on T₃ only and 3 have decreased the amount of bronchodilators needed. A significant improvement of pulmonary function tests was noted in all patients. Also, significantly increased levels of plasma and sputum c-AMP were observed after T₃ administration in comparison to the control and pretest values. No statistical differences were found in plasma T₃ between the control and the patients either before or after T₃ therapy. The study revealed that T₃ administration to clinically euthyroid chronic asthmatic children induced a beneficial effect. This might be through improvement of c-AMP synthesis. T₃ in the doses used is devoid of side effects, proves to be a useful adjuvant to classic antiasthma therapy, and may reduce the amount of bronchodilators needed.