title: Blood eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein after acute myocardial infarction or corticosteroid administration.
abstract: Measurements of eosinophil cationic protein in serum (S-ECP) have been made in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In spite of low numbers of blood eosinophils in the acute phase of the disease S-ECP levels fluctuated widely with often markedly raised levels. Peak levels of S-ECP were significantly correlated (P less than 0.001) to peak numbers of blood eosinophils, although the former usually occurred within the first 2-3 d of illness and the latter usually after the sixth day. Intravenous injection of 0.5 g methylprednisolone in healthy individuals reduced blood eosinophil counts for at least 24 h, but S-ECP levels remained within normal limits. These results suggest that ECP is released from eosinophils in vivo. The raised levels of S-ECP in patients with acute myocardial infarction are probably due to the active participation of eosinophils in the inflammatory process.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004804:Eosinophils; D006098:Granulocytes; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D008775:Methylprednisolone