Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on exhaled leukotrienes and prostanoids in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
Lipid mediators play an important pathophysiologic role in atopic asthmatic children, but their role in the airways of atopic nonasthmatic children is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
We sought (1) to measure leukotriene (LT) E 4 , LTB 4 , 8-isoprostane, prostaglandin E 2 , and thromboxane B 2 concentrations in exhaled breath condensate in atopic asthmatic and atopic nonasthmatic children; (2) to measure exhaled nitric oxide (NO) as an independent marker of airway inflammation; and (3) to study the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on exhaled eicosanoids.


METHODS
Twenty healthy children, 20 atopic nonasthmatic children, 30 steroid-naive atopic asthmatic children, and 25 atopic asthmatic children receiving inhaled corticosteroids were included in a cross-sectional study. An open-label study with inhaled fluticasone (100 microg twice a day for 4 weeks) was undertaken in 14 steroid-naive atopic asthmatic children.


RESULTS
Compared with control subjects, exhaled LTE 4 ( P <.001), LTB 4 ( P <.001), and 8-isoprostane ( P <.001) levels were increased in both steroid-naive and steroid-treated atopic asthmatic children but not in atopic nonasthmatic children (LTE 4 , P=.14; LTB 4 , P=.23; and 8-isoprostane, P=.52). Exhaled NO levels were increased in steroid-naive atopic asthmatic children ( P <.001) and, to a lesser extent, in atopic nonasthmatic children ( P <.01). Inhaled fluticasone reduced exhaled NO (53%, P <.0001) and, to a lesser extent, LTE 4 (18%, P <.01) levels but not LTB 4 , prostaglandin E 2 , or 8-isoprostane levels in steroid-naive asthmatic children. Conclusions Exhaled LTE 4 , LTB 4 , and 8-isoprostane levels are increased in atopic asthmatic children but not in atopic nonasthmatic children. In contrast to exhaled NO, these markers seem to be relatively resistant to inhaled corticosteroids.
Department of Immunodermatology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI, IRCCS, Rome.
Chiara
C
Mondino
Giovanni
G
Ciabattoni
Pierluigi
P
Koch
Riccardo
R
Pistelli
Andrea
A
Trové
Peter J
PJ
Barnes
Paolo
P
Montuschi
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015289:Leukotrienes; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide