Tryptophan metabolic pathway and neopterin in asthmatic children in clinical practice

Tryptophan metabolic pathway is involved in pathogenic mechanisms of asthma. This study aimed to evaluate tryptophan metabolites and neopterin in a group of asthmatic children. Tryptophan metabolites and neopterin were measured in asthmatic children (121, 71 males, 50 females, mean age 11.6 + 3.2 years) and well-matched healthy controls (63, 32 males, 31 females, mean age 10.7 + 2.6 years). Tryptophan, kynurenine, and neopterin levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children than in healthy controls (p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p = 0.0015 respectively). Tryptophan metabolites and neopterin are increased in asthmatic children; these mediators underline the complex mechanisms involved in the immune response in asthma.