Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Theopylline and Resveratrolin in Chronic Bronchitic Rats

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and theophylline in rats with chronic bronchitis exposed to passive cigarette smoke. Material and Methods: Thirty-five Wistar-Albino rats were enrolled into five groups. After exposure to passive cigarette smoke for 20 weeks, the rats in the first four groups were treated with intraperitonaeal administration of resveratrol solved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), DMSO, theophylline solved in physiologic saline (PS) or PS for 21 days. The rats in the fifth group were healthy controls. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained to measure serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and lung samples were obtained for light and electron microscopic examination. Results: Serum TNF-alpha level was lower in rats treated with resveratrol and theophylline compared to control rats (p<0.05). Smoke induced lung injury decreased with resveratrol and theophylline administrations compared to carrier administrations (p<0.05). Neither serum TNF-alpha nor lung histopathology scores of rats treated with resveratrol and theophylline were different (p>0.05). Conclusion: Resveratrol and theophylline were found to have similar effects on histopathological findings and cytokine expression, therefore could be considered for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, comprehensive long-term clinical studies are needed.