title: The plasma gelsolin levels in atopic dermatitis: Effect of atopy and disease severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gelsolin is an actin-binding protein with several cellular functions including anti-apoptosis and is reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Apoptosis of keratinocytes has been implicated as a key mechanism of atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine plasma gelsolin (pGSN) levels in children with atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The diagnosis of AD was made according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria. The disease severity was scored by objective SCORAD index by the same allergist. Skin prick testing (SPT), total IgE levels, and eosinophil counts were analyzed. The pGSN levels were determined using ELISA technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children aged between 0.5 and 3.0 years were included in the study. The children with AD (AD; n=84) were analyzed in two groups according to the presence (AD+/Atopy+; n=54) or absence of SPT positivity (AD+/Atopy-; n=30). The comparisons were made with a healthy control group matched for age and sex (n=81). The median (interquartile range) of pGSN levels in AD+/A+, AD+/A- and control groups were 267μg/ml (236-368), 293 (240-498) and 547 (361-695), respectively (p<0.001). The difference between the control group and AD sub-groups remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p<0.001). Correlation analysis failed to reach significance with the disease severity total IgE levels and eosinophil counts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study investigating the association of pGSN levels with AD and disease severity. pGSN levels decreased in AD. These findings suggest that gelsolin may have a role in the disease process in AD patients.
authors: Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, 38010 Erkilet, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: haticeekegungor@hotmail.com.
authors: Hatice
authors: H
authors: Eke Gungor
authors: Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, 38010 Erkilet, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: umsahner@yahoo.com.
authors: Umit Murat
authors: UM
authors: Sahiner
authors: Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, 38010 Erkilet, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: ckarakukcu@hotmail.com.
authors: Cigdem
authors: C
authors: Karakukcu
authors: Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Dermatology, 38010 Erkilet, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: nerimsahdr@yahoo.com.
authors: Neriman
authors: N
authors: Sahiner
authors: Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology Unit, 38010 Erkilet, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: yaseminaltuner@yahoo.com.
authors: Yasemin
authors: Y
authors: Altuner Torun
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D018260:Gelsolin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D018260:Gelsolin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Apoptosis; Atopic dermatitis; Gelsolin; Inflammation