Serum IgE level was predictive in asthma, and it may be used to differentiate between asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals in conjunction with other biomarkers. Specific immunotherapy reduced serum total IgE level in 36% of patients with asthma.

The reported studies suggest a role for eosinophils in the pathogenesis of cough variant asthma. In the present study, the expired breath condensate level of hydrogen peroxide and pH were determined in patients with cough variant asthma and compared to subjects with classical asthma, with chronic cough nonasthmatic and healthy control. Twenty-seven patients with cough variant asthma, 43 patients with classical asthma, 32 patients with chronic cough and 27 healthy subjects were studied in a cross-sectional study. Hydrogen peroxide concentration was significantly higher in cough variant asthma as compared to chronic cough nonasthmatic patients and healthy control subjects, while pH level was significantly lower in cough variant asthma as compared to chronic cough nonasthmatic patients and healthy control subjects. However, there was no significant difference in expired breath condensate hydrogen peroxide and pH between cough variant asthma and classical asthma. In conclusion, hydrogen peroxide concentration and pH of expired breath condensate may be used as noninvasive markers to differentiate cough variant asthma from chronic cough.

BackgroundSerum and sputum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels are correlated with asthma disease severity.ObjectiveTo establish a diagnostic accuracy of ECP and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum (indirectly) and sputum (directly) as inflammatory markers in asthma.Patients and MethodsIn a cross sectional study, 76 asthmatic patients with exacerbation were enrolled in the study. ECP was determined using enzyme linked immuno-assay.ResultsAsthmatic patients compared with control subjects, had a significant higher levels of ECP and LDH in sputum. Both sputum and serum ECP and LDH were reduced significantly with prednisolone treatment. FEV1 was inversely correlated with sputum ECP, serum ECP, and sputum LDH. A significant positive correlation was noted between sputum ECP and sputum LDH. Serum LDH does not demonstrate any significant correlations with other variables. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve showed that sputum ECP (0.92) was a significantly an accurate marker more than serum ECP (0.81), sputum (0.80) LDH, and serum (0.65) LDH. Furthermore, the area under curve was lower for serum ECP (0.81) than that for sputum ECP (0.92). However, serum ECP (0.81) was more accurate marker than serum LDH (0.65).ConclusionSerum and sputum ECP as eosinophilic inflammatory markers are associated with poor asthma control. Sputum ECP and LDH were significantly an accurate markers more than serum ECP and LDH.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is mainly generated by neutrophils and eosinophils in asthma is known to be damaging to the airway and to contribute to airway inflammation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the contribution and the role of lactoperoxidase in scavenging airway hydrogen peroxide, in order to propose a therapeutic approach for asthma. The study was an open clinical trial. Twenty-five nonsmoking asthmatic patients were included in the study. Of them, 16 patients (64%) were male and 9 (36%) were female, with age ranging from 29 to 48 years (45.13 ± 4.6). Of the 25 patients included in the study, only 16 patients completed the study; and they were eligible for analyses. Exhaled breath condensate was collected from all patients at the time of entering the study; and 2, 4 and 8 weeks later. All patients received dapson as a lactoperoxidase inhibitor at a dose of 50 mg daily for 8 weeks. The study was conducted during the period from January 2006 to end of October 2006. H2O2 concentration was determined by an enzymatic assay. Determination of exhaled breath condensate for hydrogen peroxide concentration after 8 weeks of dapson usage indicated an increase (1.05 ± 0.36 μM; 95% CI, 0.89-1.21) as compared to that at baseline (P < 0.0001), 2 weeks (P < 0.001) and 4 weeks (P > 0.05). The increase in hydrogen peroxide concentration in exhaled breath condensate after inhibition of lactoperoxidase by dapson advocates a potential role for lactoperoxidase in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide in asthmatic airway.

Amaç: Yapılan çalışmalar sistemik inflamasyon belirteçleri ve akciğer fonksiyonları arasında ters bir orantı olduğunu göstermekte-dir. Bu çalışmada C-reaktif proteinin (CRP) serum düzeyi, vücut kitle indeksi ve astım arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemeyi hedefledik. Gereç ve Yöntem:Bu çalışmada 178 astım hastasında ve 50 sağlıklı kontrol grubunda CRP düzeyi belirlendi. Astım hastaları-nın 126'sı stabil evrede ve 52'si ise atak dönemindeydi. Bulgular:Astım hastalarında kontrol grubuna göre CRP düzeyi-nin istatistiksel düzeyde anlamlı derecede (p<0.05) daha yüksek olduğu görüldü. Atak dönemindeki astım hastalarında ise serum CRP düzeylerinin stabil devredeki astım hastalarından anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu görüldü (p<0.05). Astım hastalarında FEV1 değeri serum CRP düzeyi ile ters bir orantı gösteri-yordu. Astım hastalarında, serum CRP düzeyi ve vücut kitle indeksi arasında istatistiksel düzeyde anlamlı bir ilişki vardı (p<0.0001). Ayrıca ortalama vücut kitle indeksinin astım hastalarında kontrol gruba göre daha yüksek olduğu görüldü. Material and Method:In the present study, CRP was determined in 178 patients with asthma and 50 healthy control subjects. Of all asthmatics, 126 had stable asthma and 52 had asthma during exacerbation.Results: CRP was significantly higher (p<0.05) in asthmatic patients as compared to the control group. In asthmatics with exacerbation, serum CRP was significantly higher than in stable asthmatic patients and control subjects. FEV1 was significantly inversely correlated with serum CRP in asthmatic patients. In asthmatic patients there was a significant (p<0.0001) association between serum level of CRP and body mass index. Furthermore, the mean BMI was significantly higher in asthmatic patients than that in control subjects. Conclusion:Serum CRP may be a non specific marker of asthma and its exacerbation. In addition, obesity could be a risk factor for asthma. (Tur Toraks Der 2010; 11: 98-104)