The role of lipoxin A4 in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma.
BACKGROUND
The pathogenesis of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma is incompletely understood, and the role of lipoxin A4 has not been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the involvement of lipoxin A4 in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.


METHODS
Two groups of children were enrolled in the study: asthmatic children with positive (n = 12) and negative (n = 8) responses to exercise. Levels of lipoxin A4 were determined in plasma before and immediately after exercise challenge using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
No significant difference was observed in the pre-exercise lipoxin A4 levels among the groups (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the postexercise lipoxin A4 levels between the two groups (p = 0.041). We also observed significant decreases in plasma lipoxin A4 levels immediately after exercise challenge both in asthmatic children with positive responses to exercise (p = 0.013) and negative responses to exercise (p = 0.05). But these levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children with negative responses to exercise (p = 0.041). There was an inverse correlation between lipoxin A4 levels and a reduction in forced expiratory volume at one second percent after exercise (p = 0.045, r = -0.465).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are the first demonstration of the lower levels of lipoxin A4 associated with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma. We hypothesize that the development of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children may be in relation to a reduced endogenous lipoxin biosynthetic capability. Lipoxin mimetics and related compounds could provide novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma.
Tahan
Fulya
F
Department of Pediatric Allergy, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. tahanfulya@yahoo.com
Saraymen
Recep
R
Gumus
Hakan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044045:Lipoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D044045:Lipoxins; C040527:lipoxin A4