title: Association between eosinophilic airway inflammation and persistent airflow limitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the association between eosinophilic inflammation in induced sputum and pulmonary function and persistent airflow limitation in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 92 asthmatic children and 72 controls were enrolled in this study. Eosinophil count (%) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in induced sputum. We performed spirometry and a methacholine challenge test, and measured total eosinophil count, total serum IgE, and serum ECP in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Asthmatic children had significantly higher levels of sputum eosinophils (9% vs. 0%; P < 0.001) and sputum ECP (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.6 log µg/L, p < .001) than controls. Sputum ECP levels showed a significant negative correlation with post-bronchodilator (post-BD) FEV(1) (r = -0.307; p = .001) and post-BD FEV(1)/FVC (r = -0.286; p = .002), whereas sputum eosinophils showed no correlation with post-BD FEV(1) and post-BD FEV(1)/FVC. However, no significant differences in sputum ECP and sputum eosinophil counts were observed in asthmatic children with and without persistent airflow limitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that sputum eosinophilic inflammation, especially ECP, is associated with pulmonary function and persistent airflow limitation, which is manifested by low post-BD FEV(1)/FVC.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yong Ju
authors: YJ
authors: Lee
authors: Hyun Hee
authors: HH
authors: Lee
authors: Bong Seok
authors: BS
authors: Choi
authors: Hye Mi
authors: HM
authors: Jee
authors: Kyung Won
authors: KW
authors: Kim
authors: Myung Hyun
authors: MH
authors: Sohn
authors: Kyu Earn
authors: KE
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; C479220:RNASE3 protein, human