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Persistent increase in plasma and urinary leukotrienes after acute asthma
A P Sampson1, D P Castling, C P Green
1Department of Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Leukotriene levels, including leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene E4 (LTE4), remain elevated in asthmatic children long after acute episodes. This suggests chronic inflammation, not just acute bronchoconstriction, drives leukotriene production in childhood asthma.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Leukotrienes are implicated in asthma pathophysiology, potentially mediating bronchoconstriction.
- While leukotriene production increases after allergen exposure, data on concentrations in pediatric asthma patients are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure plasma and urinary leukotriene concentrations in children with asthma during acute exacerbations and remission.
- To compare these levels with those in non-atopic healthy children.
Main Methods:
- Employed high-performance liquid chromatography/radioimmunoassay to quantify leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene E4 (LTE4).
- Analyzed samples from asthmatic children (5-10 years) during acute exacerbations and one month later, alongside healthy controls (1.3-13.2 years).
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children showed higher plasma LTB4 levels acutely and in remission compared to controls.
- Urinary LTE4 concentrations were significantly elevated in asthmatic children during acute episodes and at follow-up versus controls.
- Plasma cysteinyl leukotrienes were generally low or undetectable in all groups.
Conclusions:
- Persistent elevations in plasma LTB4 and urinary LTE4 one month post-exacerbation suggest a link to chronic airway inflammation in pediatric asthma.
- Leukotriene production may reflect ongoing inflammatory processes rather than solely acute bronchoconstriction events.