title: T-lymphocyte activation and the levels of eosinophilic cationic protein and interleukin-5 in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation and effect of glucocorticoid treatment.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunologic parameters and the effects of glucocorticoid treatment, the absolute numbers of CD4+/CD25+ T lymphocytes, eosinophil counts, levels of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and interleukin (IL)-5 in peripheral blood of patients having acute asthma exacerbations and healthy children were investigated. Samples for the absolute numbers CD4+/CD25+ T lymphocyte and eosinophil count, ECP, and IL-5 were obtained before (day 1) and after (day 5) glucocorticoid treatment. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and peak expiratory flow rate were measured on days 1 and 5 in asthma patients (n = 25) and in the control group (n = 15). The absolute numbers of CD4+/CD25+ T lymphocyte and eosinophils, levels of ECP, and IL-5 were significantly greater, while forced expiratory volume in 1 second and peak expiratory flow rate were significantly less in the patients with asthma than in the control subjects on day 1. These parameters normalized after glucocorticoid treatment with clinical improvement by day 5. Glucocorticoid treatment is associated with clinical and laboratory improvement achieved in patients with acute asthma exacerbations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Kadir
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kocak
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bor
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Tercan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Us
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011239:Prednisolone; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; C479220:RNASE3 protein, human