title: Serum sRAGE as a potential biomarker for pediatric bronchiolitis: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traditional inflammatory biomarkers are insufficient for the evaluation of bronchiolitis severity. Recent investigations have shown that the receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) and its soluble isoforms (sRAGE) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of lung injury. Main objective was to assess the serum levels of sRAGE of children with severe bronchiolitis admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Secondary objective was to study sRAGE correlation with the evolution and traditional biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational and descriptive study, 43 healthy controls and 37 patients (December 2011-February 2012) were enrolled. sRAGE levels were assessed and compared. In patients, the relation between sRAGE levels and clinical evolution, respiratory assistance, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophils count, serum C-reactive protein, and serum procalcitonin was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistical difference was found in the mean value of sRAGE at PICU admission between patients and controls (1,215.7 ± 535 vs 849 ± 579 pg/ml). Also a significant inverse correlation was found between sRAGE and the Wood-Downes Score at admission (p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum sRAGE could be elevated in children with bronchiolitis. Larger clinical studies are necessary to elucidate its role as a bronchiolitis inflammatory and/or lung injury biomarker.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 65, Madrid, Spain, citopensis@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Salido
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oñoro
authors.forename: Gustavo J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Melen
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gómez-Piña
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serrano-González
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Orellana
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casado-Flores
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic