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Urinary leukotriene E4 in Henoch-Schonlein purpura
1Department of Pediatrics, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. yuitsuji@ybb.ne.jp
Background:
Children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) occasionally have allergic disease. We have previously shown that pranlukast hydrate was effective for purpura in HSP. Pranlukast hydrate is a leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist; therefore, it is likely that LTs take part in the cause of HSP. Urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4u) levels are a useful index of whole-body cysteinyl LT production in vivo. In this study, LTE4u was examined in children with HSP.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between the level of LTE4u and the cause of HSP.
Methods:
Eighteen HSP children (six boys and 12 girls) and six healthy children were enrolled.
Results:
LTE4u levels in patients with HSP were significantly higher (P< 0.05) at the onset than those in healthy children. Four weeks therapy with pranlukast hydrate lowers LTE4u levels in patients with HSP (P< 0.05). There were no differences in LTE4u between the group of HSP patients with purpura nephritis and the group of HSP patients without purpura nephritis.
Conclusion:
These results indicate that csyteinyl LTs may play a role in the pathophysiology of purpura in HSP.