Cysteinyl-leukotriene levels in sputum differentiate asthma from rhinitis patients with or without bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We have previously reported that asthma differs from rhinitis with or without bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the perception and degree of lower airway inflammation.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sputum levels of inflammatory markers could further distinguish these patient groups.

METHODS:

Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis with or without asthma or bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine were investigated. Induced sputum was performed during as well as off season, and analysed for cysteinyl-leukotrienes, hyaluronan, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and other inflammatory markers.

RESULTS:

Asthmatic patients differentiated from those with rhinitis with or without bronchial hyperresponsiveness in levels of cysteinyl-leukotrienes [geometric mean: 3.3 (lower 95%-upper 95% confidence interval (CI) of geometric mean: 1.9-5.1) vs. 1.4 (0.9-2.2) and 0.7 (0.3-1.6) pg/microg total protein] and hyaluronan [0.30 (0.22-0.43) vs. 0.15 (0.10-0.20) and 0.20 (0.12-0.35) ng/microg total protein] in sputum. The levels of cysteinyl-leukotrienes decreased in sputum from the asthmatic patients, while the levels of hyaluronan remained elevated off-season. Furthermore, elevated levels of ECP were noticed among both the asthmatic and rhinitis patients with hyperresponsiveness compared with controls [0.022 (0.014-0.033) and 0.015 (0.011-0.021) compared with 0.010 (0.007-0.014) ng/microg total protein]. The level of ECP remained elevated off season.

CONCLUSION:

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes are possibly more related to mast cell-mediated inflammation and remodelling, also indicated by increased levels of hyaluronan during and off season. This inflammation may be partly different from the eosinophil-driven inflammation.

• Authors: E Tufvesson, D Aronsson, L Bjermer
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 37 Issue 7 Pg. 1067-73 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 0954-7894 [Print] England
• PMID: 17581201 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Bronchoconstrictor Agents
• Leukotrienes
• cysteinyl-leukotriene
• Methacholine Chloride
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Eosinophil Cationic Protein
• Cysteine

Topics

• Adult
• Asthma (diagnosis, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Bronchial Hyperreactivity
• Bronchial Provocation Tests
• Bronchoconstrictor Agents
• Cysteine (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Eosinophil Cationic Protein (analysis)
• Female
• Forced Expiratory Volume
• Humans
• Hyaluronic Acid (analysis)
• Leukotrienes (analysis)
• Male
• Methacholine Chloride
• Middle Aged
• Reproducibility of Results
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (diagnosis, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Skin Tests
• Sputum (chemistry)