[Correlation of serum IL-16, IL-18 levels and immunoglobulins in children with asthma].
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the changes of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins and the correlation of serum IL-16, IL-18 levels and immunoglobulins in children with asthma and aimed to explore the role of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of asthma.


METHODS
Thirty-four children with asthma and 21 age and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were determined using ELISA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were detected by immunoturbidimetry.


RESULTS
The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and IgE in patients with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. An increased IgG and a decreased IgA levels were found in asthmatic patients at the acute attack stage. There was a positive correlation between the IL-16 and IL-18 levels at both acute attack and convalescence stages of asthma (r=0.70, P < 0.01; r=0.70, P < 0.05). The IL-16 level correlated positively with the IgE level at acute attack stage of asthma (r=0.624, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-16, IL-18 and IgE may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The immunologic imbalance exists in children with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages. Anti-allergic therapy should be administered through the acute attack to the convalescence stages of asthma.
Xue
Yi-Nan
YN
Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Center Hospital, Changsha 410007, China. xyn63@yahoo.com.cn
Zou
Xian-De
XD
Wu
Jia-Ling
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019410:Interleukin-16; D020382:Interleukin-18