NCIt definition : A methylxanthine and derivative of theophylline. Aminophylline relaxes smooth muscles,
particularly bronchial muscles. This xanthine most likely exerts its effect by inhibiting
cAMP or cGMP phosphodiesterases, thereby increasing levels of the second messenger
cAMP or cGMP intracellularly. Other mode of actions include an adenosine antagonistic
effect on the activity of CD4 lymphocytes and mediator release from mast cells thereby
decreasing lung sensitivity to allergens and other substances that cause inflammation.
Aminophylline also acts as a CNS stimulant and exerts a positive chronotropic and
inotropic effect on the heart.;
Semantic type(s)