title: Serum eosinophil cationic protein during treatment of asthma in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is suggested to reflect the degree of bronchial inflammation and hyperreactivity in patients with asthma. We measured serum ECP levels before and 1 and 5 months after treatment with inhaled budesonide (n = 10) or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (n = 7) in children with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The daily dose of budesonide was 800 micrograms/m2 during the first month and 400 micrograms/m2 during the next 4 months. ECP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ECP decreased during the 5 months of treatment (p = 0.020 for treatment groups combined; p = 0.049 for the budesonide group; p = NS for the SCG group). The higher the serum ECP level at entry, the more it decreased during treatment, both in the budesonide group (r = -0.697, p < 0.05) and in the SCG group (r = -0.893, p < 0.05). No correlation was found between the ECP level and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1%) or between changes in these. However, basal pulmonary function was reduced in 8 of 16 subjects only, and FEV1% did not change significantly in either group. Thus the absence of a correlation is understandable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical value of the sensitive decrease in serum ECP remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergic Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Juntunen-Backman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Järvinen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorva
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019819:Budesonide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012260:Ribonucleases; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D012260:Ribonucleases; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium