Reversed changes of lipoxin A4 and leukotrienes in children with asthma in different severity degree.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expressions of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in leukocytes and the changes of blood lipoxin A(4)(LXA(4)), leukotriene (LT)B(4) and LTC(4) in children with asthma, and to explore the relationship between the blood eicosanoids and one of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8 and IL-13 and IgE in children with asthma.


METHODS
One hundred six asthmatic children were divided into three groups, that is, mild persistent asthmatic group, moderate persistent asthmatic group and severe persistent asthmatic group. Forty healthy children were served as controls.


METHODS
The expressions of 15-LO and 5-LO mRNA in leukocytes were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the blood LXA(4), LTB(4), LTC(4), IL-5, IL-8, and IL-13 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum hsCRP was determined with latex-enhanced immuno-turbidimetry kits.


RESULTS
The leukocytic 15-LO expression and blood LXA(4) were gradually decreased, and the leukocytic 5-LO expression, blood LTB(4), LTC(4), IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, and hsCRP were gradually increased in children with asthma from mild degree to moderate and severe degree. There were positive correlations between blood LXA(4) and one of the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) percent-predicted values, and negative correlations between blood LTC(4) and one of the PEF and FEV(1) percent-predicted values in children with asthma. There were negative correlations between blood LXA(4) and one of the IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, and hsCRP levels, and positive correlations between one of blood LTB(4), LTC(4) and one of the IL-5, IL-8, IL-13 and hsCRP levels in children with asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
The reversed changes between 15-LO, its product LXA(4) and 5-LO, its products LTB(4) and LTC(4) in children with asthma from mild, moderate to severe degree were found, suggesting that insufficient generation of LXA(4) and overproduction of LTs may be the reason for the asthmatic children whose illness become more serious.
Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.
Sheng-Hua
SH
Wu
Pei-Ling
PL
Yin
Yong-Mei
YM
Zhang
Hui-Xian
HX
Tao
D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000097:blood; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism*; D044045:Lipoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D018793:Interleukin-13; D015848:Interleukin-5; D016209:Interleukin-8; D015289:Leukotrienes; D044045:Lipoxins; C040527:lipoxin A4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002097:C-Reactive Protein