Sleep quality and immune mediators in asthmatic children
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Published on: August 7, 2017
1Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. wmflily@yahoo.com.tw
Insights
Good sleep in asthmatic children is linked to lower IL-10 and higher prolactin levels. These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for improving sleep quality in asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Sleep Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Asthmatic children frequently report poor sleep quality.
- Emerging research highlights the connection between sleep patterns and circulating cytokines.
- This study investigates the link between serum cytokine levels and sleep quality in pediatric asthma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between serum cytokine levels and sleep quality in children with asthma.
- To explore potential immune system markers associated with sleep disturbances in pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- Ninety asthmatic children (aged 6-12) were enrolled after screening.
- Participants completed the Childhood Asthma Control Test (ACT) and sleep quality questionnaires.
- Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and prolactin were measured.
Main Results:
- Good sleepers in the well-controlled asthma group showed lower mean IL-10 levels and a higher IL-12/IL-10 ratio compared to poor sleepers.
- Serum prolactin levels were significantly higher in good sleepers within the well-controlled group.
- No significant differences in IL-6, IL-12, or total IgE levels were found between good and poor sleepers.
Conclusions:
- Good sleep in asthmatic children is associated with a lower IL-10 level, higher prolactin concentration, and an elevated IL-12/IL-10 ratio.
- Prolactin may play a role in the immune shifts observed in relation to sleep quality.
- Further research into cytokine function could reveal novel therapeutic strategies for asthma-related sleep issues.
Background:
Asthmatic children have been reported to complain about poor sleep quality. Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between sleep and circulating cytokines. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum cytokine levels and sleep quality in asthmatic children.
Methods:
After an initial screening phase at allergy clinic visits, 90 asthmatic children aged 6-12 years were enrolled to complete the Chinese version of the (Childhood) Asthma Control Test (ACT). A questionnaire assessing sleep quality of asthmatic children was also administered to all subjects and parents. We determined the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and protactin at enrollment.
Results:
Subjects with an ACT score > or =20 were assigned to the well-controlled group and those with a score of 19 were assigned to the inadequately controlled group. In the well-controlled group, good sleepers had a significantly tower mean level of IL-10 and a higher mean ratio of IL-12/IL-10 compared with the poor sleepers. Furthermore, the serum prolactin level was significantly greater in the good sleeper subgroup. In both subgroups, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-12 and total IgE were not significant different.
Conclusion:
Good sleep is associated with a lower IL-10 level, a higher prolactin concentration, and a higher IL-12/IL-10 ratio. Prolactin may have a potential role in this immunity shift. Thus, further insight into the functional role of cytokines on the sleep quality of asthma sufferers will result in the identification of novel therapeutic perspectives.
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