Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: METHODS: RESULTS: Eosinophils were elevated in BAL (P < 0.01), BW (P < 0.01) and blood (P < 0.01) from asthmatics compared with control subjects. Eosinophils cationic protein concentration was significantly elevated in BAL (P < 0.05) and BW from asthmatics (P < 0.01) and EPX was increased in BAL (P < 0.05) and BW (P < 0.01). These changes were also reflected in elevated serum ECP (P < 0.01) and EPX (P < 0.01) concentrations in asthmatic subjects. There was no significant difference between subjects receiving prednisolone and the placebo group, but there was a fall in ECP in BW (P < 0.05) and serum (P < 0.01) and in EPX in BW (P < 0.01) and serum (P < 0.01) within the group receiving prednisolone. In the longitudinal study there was only a significant difference between ECP values associated with highest and lowest peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm a role for eosinophil activation in the airway in asthma pathogenesis, and add some support to the hypothesis that corticosteroids may inhibit eosinophil activation in asthma.
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Authors | D S Robinson, B Assoufi, S R Durham, A B Kay |
Journal | Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
(Clin Exp Allergy)
Vol. 25
Issue 11
Pg. 1118-27
(Nov 1995)
ISSN: 0954-7894 [Print] England |
PMID | 8581845
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Blood Proteins
- Eosinophil Granule Proteins
- Prednisolone
- Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin
- Ribonucleases
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Topics |
- Adult
- Asthma
(blood, drug therapy, immunology)
- Blood Proteins
(chemistry, drug effects)
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
(chemistry, immunology)
- Eosinophil Granule Proteins
- Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin
- Female
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Ribonucleases
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