Evaluation of Serum Adenosine Deaminase in Cystic Fibrosis Patients in an Iranian Referral Hospital.
BACKGROUND
Adenosine, a signaling nucleoside, is controlled in part by the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA). There are rare reports on the role of adenosine levels and ADA in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess serum ADA in CF patients in order to find whether the severity of lung disease in CF is related to significant changes of ADA or not.


METHODS
Venous blood serum ADA was measured in CF patients (3-15 years) and 49 healthy children (3-15 years) referred to Children's Medical Center. Classification of respiratory and gastrointestinal disease severity in CF patients as well as Body Mass Index (BMI) was performed. The results were compared with values obtained from healthy children matched for age and gender.


RESULTS
This study included 49 children of both genders (20 females and 29 males) with CF (mean age: 6.36 ± 2.22 years). Mean serum ADA in CF patients group and control group was 9.38 ± 2.72 and 16.04 ± 1.27, respectively (P value = 0.001). Mean serum ADA in CF patients with normal BMI was higher than in patients with low BMI (P value = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study the lower serum level of ADA was seen in CF patients compared to control group. The clinical symptoms, especially respiratory symptoms, in CF patients might be associated with reduction of serum ADA and rising serum adenosine; therefore, further studies on the use of ADA enzyme therapy in CF patients are highly recommended.
Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran, IR Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Farahmand
Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Parisa
P
Tajdini
Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran, IR Iran.
Gholamhossein
G
Falahi
Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran, IR Iran; Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Sedigheh
S
Shams
Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Shima
S
Mahmoudi
Adenosine Deaminase; Children; Cystic Fibrosis