[Eotaxin in induced sputum in patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis: relationship with airway inflammation].
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the roles of eotaxin (chemotactic factor of eosinophils) in pathogenesis of eosinophilic airway inflammation and airflow obstruction.


METHODS
33 patients in exacerbations with chronic bronchitis (CB group), chronic asthmatic bronchitis (CAB group) and bronchial asthma (BA group) (11 cases respectively) and 7 healthy volunteers as controls (C group) have participated in lung function test and sputum induction. The concentration of eotaxin in supernatant was measured by sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
The differences of the eosinophil (EOS)/leukocyte (Leu)% in CAB group [(23.4 +/- 5.8)%], BA group [(20.7 +/- 3.1)%] and in CB group [(11.6 +/- 2.6)%], C group [(1.2 +/- 0.3)%] are significant (P < 0.001), and the differences of the level of eotaxin in CAB group [(0.290 +/- 0.170) g/L], BA group [(0.240 +/- 0.140) g/L] and in CB group [(0.120 +/- 0.020) g/L], C group [(0.030 +/- 0.050) g/L] are also significant [CAB group-CB group (P = 0.007); CAB group-C group (P < 0.001); BA group-CB group (P = 0.018); BA group-C group (P = 0.001)], but the differences of those in BA group and in CAB group are not significant (P = 0.196, 0.490). The EOS/Leu % is significantly inversely correlated with the percentage of the first second forced expiratory volume/predicted value (FEV(1)%) in CAB group (r = -0.921, P < 0.001). The EOS/Leu % and the level of eotaxin are significantly inversely correlated with FEV(1)% respectively in BA group (r = -0.663, -0.643, P = 0.026, 0.033). The level of eotaxin in induced sputum is significantly positively correlated with the EOS/Leu % in CAB group (r = 0.658, P = 0.028) and BA group (r = 0.634, P = 0.036), but it is not correlated with any of Neu/Leu %, macrophage (Macro)/Leu % or lymphocyte (Lym)/Leu % in any group (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Eotaxin possibly particulates in eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with BA and CAB by selective chemotactic activity on eosinophil.
Fu
Jiewei
J
Respiratory Department of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of University of Central South, Changsha 410011, China.
Chen
Ping
P
Xiang
Xudong
X
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*
C515456:CCL11 protein, human; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D019742:Chemokines, CC