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Clinical implications of serum retinol-binding protein 4 in asthmatic children

Yeo Hoon Park1, Kyung Won Kim, Kyung Eun Lee

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Institute of Allergy, BK 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Research Center for Human Natural Defense System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|December 2, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) showed no significant difference in children with asthma compared to controls. However, RBP4 was linked to lung function in prepubertal males with asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pulmonology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Childhood asthma and obesity prevalence are rising globally.
  • Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is implicated in metabolic and inflammatory processes.
  • The role of RBP4 in pediatric asthma, particularly concerning obesity and atopy, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum RBP4 levels and childhood asthma.
  • To explore the relationship between RBP4, atopy markers, pulmonary function, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in relation to obesity.
  • To determine if RBP4 influences asthma development or severity in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 160 children (6-10 years) including 122 asthmatics and 38 controls were studied.
  • Measurements included body mass index, pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge tests, and serum RBP4 levels.
  • Atopy markers such as total eosinophil count, serum total IgE, and serum eosinophil cationic protein were assessed.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in serum RBP4 levels was observed between asthmatic children and controls.
  • Serum RBP4 did not correlate with atopy markers (eosinophil count, IgE, eosinophil cationic protein) or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PC20).
  • A significant association was found between serum RBP4 and pulmonary function parameters (FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%) specifically in male asthmatics.

Conclusions:

  • Serum RBP4 levels are not directly associated with asthma diagnosis or atopy in children.
  • RBP4 demonstrates a relationship with pulmonary function in prepubertal male asthmatics.
  • This finding suggests a potential sex-specific link between RBP4 and lung function that may contribute to asthma prevalence in males.

Keywords:
Asthma, ChildPulmonary FunctionRetinol-Binding Protein 4

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