Plasma endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been formerly demonstrated to have potent vasocontractile as well as bronchoconstrictor effects in vitro. This followup study was aimed to evaluate the possible changes in ET-1 levels in the plasma of asthmatic children, according to disease activity and severity.


METHODS
Plasma ET-1 was estimated by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay in 30 asthmatic patients (6 to 12 years old) during and after remission of an acute attack. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy children were included as a control group.


RESULTS
Plasma ET-1 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the asthmatic children during the attacks (17.2+/-6.9 pg/mL) in comparison to the levels during quiescence of symptoms (0.9+/-1.13 pg/mL). Further, both values were significantly higher than the control value (0.22+/-0.29 pg/mL). The severity of attacks as judged clinically and by peak expiratory flow rate measurement did not influence the plasma endothelin status; neither did the family history of atopy nor the absolute eosinophil count. However, serum total IgE levels could be positively correlated to the plasma endothelin concentrations measured after remission of the asthmatic attacks (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings reinforce the concept that ET-1 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction. This may encourage further studies on the value of ET-1 antagonism among alternative therapeutic modalities of childhood asthma.
El-Gamal
Yehia
Y
Department of Pediatrics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. yehiamelgamal@hotmail.com
Hossny
Elham
E
Awwad
Khaled
K
Mabrouk
Randa
R
Boseila
Nahed
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D019559:Capillary Leak Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003289:Convalescence; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D019332:Endothelin-1; D005353:Fibronectins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010741:Phospholipases A