Theophylline prolongs survival and decreases renal damage in female NZB/W F-1 mice.

Theophylline (Th) augments suppressor T cell activity (STCA). We attempted to test this immunoregulatory effect of TH on survival, renal disease and several immunologic parameters in NZB/W F-1 female mice. The median survival was 274 +/- 50 days for the mice receiving Th and 235 +/- 39 days for the controls (p less than 0.01). Assessment of the extent of renal damage by light microscopy revealed activity scores of 1.86 +/- 2 and 4.71 +/- 2.7 for the Th and control groups, respectively (p less than 0.001). T cell activity of NZB/W F-1 lymphocytes was assessed by the local xenogeneic GVH reaction. The mean GVH reaction volume of the Th group was significantly lower (9.3 +/- 8.8 mm3) as compared to controls (31 +/- 9 mm3) (p less than 0.001). The proportion of Lyt-1 versus Lyt-2 spleen lymphocytes did not change significantly. It is concluded that Th prolongs survival and decreases the extent of renal damage in female NZB/W F-1 mice.