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[A thymus extract (thymomodulin) in the prevention of childhood asthma]
Insights
Thymus extract treatment significantly reduced bronchial asthma attacks in children. Long-term immune monitoring revealed increased IgG/IgM and decreased IgE/complement levels, with no adverse effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting children.
- Current treatments aim to manage symptoms and reduce exacerbations.
- The role of immunomodulatory therapies, like thymus extracts, warrants further investigation.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy and immunological effects of oral thymus extract in children with bronchial asthma.
- To assess changes in specific immune parameters following thymus extract administration.
Summary:
- A study involved 41 children (aged 2-12) with bronchial asthma treated with thymus extract for three months, with a follow-up treatment in March 1981.
- Clinical observations showed a significant reduction in asthma attacks (mean 6 to 0.7 crises per child).
- Immunological tests at 12 months post-treatment revealed increased IgG and IgM, decreased IgE and C3-C4 complement factors, with no side effects.
Impact:
- Thymus extract may offer a beneficial immunomodulatory effect in managing pediatric bronchial asthma.
- Long-term immune system modulation observed suggests potential for sustained therapeutic benefits.
- The findings support further research into thymus extract as an adjunctive therapy for childhood asthma.
Abstract:
41 children aged 2-12 years affected with bronchial asthma, have been treated orally with a thymus extract for three months (sep.-oct.-nov. 1980); a further period of treatment has been repeated during the month of March 1981. The following immunologic tests have been performed before therapy, 2 months after therapy withdrawal and 12 months after the second therapeutical discontinuance: plasmatic immunoglobulins (P. Ig), C3-C4 complement's factors, E-rosette forming cells (both active and total), surface immunoglobulins (IgS), PHA lymphocyte stimulation. Periodic anamnestic and clinical controls of patients revealed a significant reduction of asthmatic attacks during the months of observation, in comparison with the crises remarked in the same period of the previous year (the mean number of crises per child being 6 and 0.7 respectively before and after treatment, P less than 0.001). The immunologic tests, despite the clinical results, did not show significant modifications at the 1st control. Nevertheless the control carried out 12 months after the second therapeutical withdrawal demonstrated: IgG and IgM plasmatic levels significantly increased (1097 +/- 63 vs 906 +/- 45 and 122 +/- 10 vs 104 +/- 10 respectively, P less than 0.02) while IgE, C3-C4 plasmatic levels significantly decreased (232 +/- 57 vs 396 +/- 71, 132 +/- 6 vs 162 +/- 7, 22 +/- 2 vs 30 +/- 2 respectively, P less than 0.005). No side effects have been seen in all the patients treated.