Leukocyte cyclic-3', 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in human bronchial asthma.

Changes in cyclic-3', 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of the peripheral blood leukocytes were investigated in patients with bronchial asthma. Leukocyte phosphodiesterase activity was significantly elevated during asthmatic attacks. Elevated activity was seen in most active asthmatics irrespective of the drug treatment. The ratio of the adenyl cyclase activity to the phosphodiesterase activity of the same leukocyte decreased to less than 1.0 during asthmatic attacks.