Open AccessUrinary excretion of leukotriene E 4 and eosinophil protein X in children with atopic asthma
Author(s) -
Severien C.,
Artlich A.,
Jonas S,
Becher G
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
european respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.021
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1399-3003
pISSN - 0903-1936
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.16d03.x
Subject(s) - leukotriene e4 , asthma , medicine , urinary system , leukotriene , eosinophil , urine , creatinine , endocrinology , immunology , gastroenterology
Measurement of leukotriene E 4 (LTE 4 ) in urine is a noninvasive method for assessing changes in the rate of total body cysteinyl leukotriene production. Eosinophil protein X (EPX) has been used to assess eosinophil activity and monitor inflammation in bronchial asthma. The aim of the study was to look for differences in urinary LTE 4 and EPX concentrations between children with stable atopic asthma and healthy controls and to compare asthmatic children with different disease severity. In addition the relationship was evaluated between urinary LTE 4 amd EPX levels and lung function. LTE 4 was also measured (enzyme immunoassay) together with EPX (radioimmunoassay) in urine and lung function tests were carried out in children with mild asthma (steroid‐naive) (n=49), moderate to severe asthma (using inhaled steroids) (n=31) and healthy control subjects (n=28). Urinary leukotriene E 4 (LTE 4 ) was significantly higher in children with asthma than in controls (median [25–75 percentile] 238.5 (126.5–375.7) sd 191.8 versus 189 (51–253.2) sd 131.7 pg·mg ‐1 creatinine; p=0.021). Urinary EPX was also significantly increased in asthmatic children compared with controls (85.5 [64–131.5] sd 76.2 versus 48.5 [43.2–90] 112.1 µg·mmol ‐1 creatinine; p=0.006). There were no differences in urinary LTE 4 and EPX between the group of mild and the group of moderate to severe asthmatic children. There were significant associations between the urinary LTE 4 and intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV), residual volume (RV), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory capacity (FVC) and maximum expiratory flow rate at 25% of vital capacity (MEF25). Urinary EPX was only correlated with maximum expiratory flow rate at 75% of vital capacity (MEF75). Thus measurement of urinary LTE 4 may predict the degree of airflow obstruction in asthmatic children. Urinary LTE 4 and EPX are useful markers of airway inflammation and can be helpful in guiding asthma management. There was no correlation between LTE 4 and EPX levels.