Eosinophil cationic protein in relation to bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic children.
- Author:
Jin Tack KIM
;
Joon Sung LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Asthma;
Eosinophil;
Eosinophil Cationic Protein;
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
- MeSH:
Asthma;
Child*;
Eosinophil Cationic Protein*;
Eosinophils*;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
Methacholine Chloride;
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
- From:Journal of the Korean Pediatric Society
1993;36(12):1707-1715
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The eosinophil is the major cell responsible for the inflammatory reaction in bronchial asthma. Secretion of granular components is probably of considerable importance for the inflammatory effects of the eosinophils. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is the one of the secretory components of the eosinophil granule and-is considered as an activation marker of eosinophil count, serum concentration of ECP and serum IgE were studied in normal, symptomatic and asymptomatic asthmatic children. In symptomatic asthma, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was studied and methacholine challenge test was done in asymptomatic asthma in addition. Blood eosinophil count and serum ECP in asthma were significantly raised compared with those of the normal children. And the level of serum ECP in symptomatic asthma was higher than that in asymptomatic asthma. The mean % fall of PEFR was significantly correlated with serum ECP and blood eosinophil count in symptomatic asthma. In asymptomatic asthma, there was no correlations between methachloine PC20 and blood eosinophil count or methachloine PC20 and serum ECP level. Our findings show that blood eosinophil count and serum ECP levels differ not only between normal children and asthmatic children, but also between symptomatic asthma and asymptomatic asthma.
