Serum eosinophil cationic protein during treatment of asthma in children.
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.
Juntunen-Backman
K
K
Department of Allergic Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Järvinen
P
P
Sorva
R
R
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D012260:Ribonucleases; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium