AIMTo explore the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and relationship to ventilatory function in asthmatic patients.

METHODSEighteen asthmatic patients and eighteen healthy subjects were selected. HO-1 protein levels in PBMC were measured by immunohistochemical staining and PBMC HO-1 mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), blood carbon monoxide Hb (COHb) percent value, serum total IgE concentration and pulmonary ventilatory function were observed in asthmatic patients and healthy subjects.

RESULTSThe percentage of cells in immunohistochemical staining positive staining of HO-1 were significantly higher in asthmatic patients (41.7 +/- 7.44%) compared with that of healthy subjects (10.5 +/- 4.36%, P < 0.01), the optical densities of PBMC HO-1 mRNA were higher in asthmatic patients (26.05 +/- 4.14) compared with that of healthy subjects (10.82 +/- 4.26, P < 0.01). The relation analysis showed PBMC HO-1 protein levels had significantly negative relation with FEV1, PEFR, MEFR50%, respectively (r = -0.89, -0.56, -0.51, P < 0.01, respectively) and positive relation with COHb percent value, serum total I gE concentration (r = 0.80, 0.48, P < 0.05, respectively), and PBMC HO-1 mRNA levels had significantly negative relation with FEV1, PEFR, MEFR50%, respectively (r = -0.89, -0.65, -0.67, P < 0.05, respectively) and positive relation with COHb percent value, serum total IgE concentration (r = 0.85, 0.62, P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PBMC HO-1 protein and mRNA are increased significantly in asthmatic patients, HO-1 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The expression of HO-1 has relation with severity of asthma.