title: Level of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in childhood asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in childhood asthma remains unknown. This study aimed to measure the serum levels of NGAL in children with asthma and to investigate the correlation between NGAL and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a good indicator of airway remodeling in children with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 children. Serum NGAL and TGF-β1 concentrations were measured by the ELISA method. Complete blood count, high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and total serum IgE were investigated in the study population. Atopy in the asthma group was investigated using a skin prick test and specific IgE measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three asthmatic children and 32 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Total eosinophil numbers, white blood cell count, total serum IgE levels and ECP levels were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, serum TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in children with asthma (p=0.012). The difference in NGAL levels between the groups was insignificant (p=0.268). NGAL levels did not show a significant correlation with total IgE, ECP, eosinophil numbers and TGF-β1 levels (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a conclusion, while elevated TGF-β1 levels in children with asthma might be regarded as an indicator of airway remodeling, we did not find a similar prediction strength for NGAL. Further studies are required to better identify the role of NGAL in childhood asthma and to determine its potential use as a clinical marker.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Turgut Ozal University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: akelma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Akelma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Turgut Ozal University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: madduckk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kanburoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Turgut Ozal University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: nevzatcizmeci@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Cizmeci
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Pamukkale University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: eminmete@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Inonu University Medical School, Malatya, Turkey. Electronic address: ferhatcatal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Catal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Turgut Ozal University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: nailetufan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tufan
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012882:Skin Tests; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein
keywords: Asthma; Children; Extracellular matrix protein; Lipocalin-2; Remodeling