[Effect of glucocorticoid on CD4 T-lymphocyte and eosinophil activation in asthmatics]

To study the influence of oral glucocorticoid on CD4 T-lymphocyte and eosinophil activation in the asthmatics, we collected the serum samples from 14 patients who required oarl glucocorticoid therapy for moderate to severe disease exacerbations and measured the serum interleukin (IL)-5, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels before and after one week with prednisone (20 mg/d) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results revealed that after oral prednisone therapy, the serum IL-5, ECP levels and the numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils decreased, whereas the lung function significantly improved. It is suggested that glucocorticoids might exert antiasthma effect of by inhibiting CD4 T-lymphocyte activation and cytokine (e.g., IL-5) secretion.