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[Lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in respiratory diseases in children]
G Baldini1, C Bertelloni, A Cappuccio
1Unità Operativa Pediatria, Preventiva e Sociale, Isituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Pisa.
Insights
Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme patterns, not total activity, show significant differences in children with pneumonia. Specific changes in LD1, LD2, LD4, and LD5 levels indicate lung tissue injury in pneumonia patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) is an enzyme present in many body tissues.
- LD isoenzymes can provide tissue-specific information.
- Understanding LD patterns may aid in diagnosing lung conditions in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum LD activity, LD isoenzymes, and lung tissue injury in children.
- To determine if LD isoenzyme profiles differ in children with pneumonia compared to asthma or healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of total LD activity and LD isoenzymes in serum samples.
- Study included 161 children: 51 with pneumonia, 60 with acute asthma, and 50 healthy controls.
- Statistical analysis to compare enzyme levels across the groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in total LD activity between the groups.
- Children with pneumonia exhibited significantly decreased proportions of LD1 and LD2.
- A simultaneous significant increase in LD4 and LD5 proportions was observed in children with pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Total LD activity is not a reliable indicator of lung tissue injury in these pediatric groups.
- The specific LD isoenzyme pattern (decreased LD1/LD2, increased LD4/LD5) is characteristic of pneumonia in children.
- Measuring LD isoenzymes is recommended for patients with suspected pneumonia due to its diagnostic potential.
Abstract:
Total Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD, EC 1.1.1.27) activity in serum and LD isoenzymes were quantified in 161 children (51 with pneumonia at the time of diagnosis, 60 hospitalized for asthma in acute period and 50 healthy subjects) to ascertain the relationship of these markers with injury of lung tissue. No statistical variations, between different groups in total activity, were found. Significantly decreased proportions of LD1 (p less than 0.000001) and of LD2 (p less than 0.000001) with simultaneous increase of LD4 (p less than 0.000001) and LD5 (p less than 0.000001) resulted in children with pneumonia, as to asthmatic or healthy subjects. Investigators conclude that LD should be determined in every patient with pneumonia because of the presence of a specific LD isoenzyme pattern.