OBJECTIVETo explore the role of eotaxin in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and the clinical value in the diagnosis of asthma.

METHODSSerum eotaxin were measured by ELISA in 38 patients with asthma, 28 patients with non-asthma allergy, and 30 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe levels of serum eotaxin in the asthma group were higher than those in the non-asthma allergic and control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, eotaxin levels in patients with acute asthma were significantly higher than those in patients with stable asthma (P<0.001). It was also found that the eotaxin levels of the acute asthma group were positively correlated to the amounts of eosinophils in peripheral blood (r=0.4196, P<0.001), and inversely correlated to the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (r=-0.3746, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONIt suggests that eotaxin may play a crucial pathogenic role in the asthmatic process possibly by activating the allergic inflammatory cells and controlling the recruitment of eosinophils from blood to bronchial epithelium of the airway. The concentration of eotaxin is significantly associated with the attack of acute asthma and its severity. Eotaxin may be a potential therapeutic target in patients with asthma.