Role and Significance of Markers of Inflammation in the Asthmatic Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation which can be reversible.AIM:Investigation the importance of eosinophils, ECP and IL-5 in asthmatics versus patients with obstructive bronchitis and healthy subjects. We investigated the values before and after the treatment in asthmatics.MATERIAL AND METHODS:We studied 77 subjects divided in three groups as follows: 1) asthma patients; 2) patients with obstructive bronchitis and 3) control group of healthy subjects. In all the subjects there were determined: Total number of eosinophils (Eo), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), Interleukin 5 (IL-5) and allergy tests.RESULTS:The total number of eosinophils was significantly increased in the group of asthma patients versus second and third group. We found that the presence of ECP demonstrate an ongoing inflammation, with or without clinical symptoms of asthma patients. There was significant difference between the values of ECP of asthma patients versus second and third group. Our results have shown that IL-5 was significantly increased versus second group and controls (p < 0.01). We also found the decrease of the values of inflammatory markers after the treatment with corticosteroids.CONCLUSIONS:Eosinophils, ECP and IL-5 could be useful markers for selecting allergic patients and could be the monitors of treatment effects.

Eosinophil Cationic Protein Concentrations among Crop and Dairy Farmers with Asthma

“…The results of a recent study in our country showed that the ICS objectively suppress the inflammatory reaction in asthma and the biologic markers (IL-5, Eo and s-ECP), which if being followed, can measure the accomplished effect. Therefore, they could be used in everyday practice, not only as diagnostic parameters but also as valid therapeutic guides in the treatment of asthma [ 45 ]. Another similar research showed that eosinophils, s -ECP and IL-5 could be useful markers for selecting allergic patients and could be the monitors of treatment effects [ 46 ].…”

Effect of Hypnosis on Pulmonary Function and Severity of the Disease in Asthmatic Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases, which due to inflammation and narrowing of the airway and contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchioles can result in hypersensitivity of the airway and mucosal edema and is characterized by increasing inflammatory pathologies and various recurrent clinical manifestations, such as dyspnea, coughing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, chest pressure, wheeze and exhalation airflow restriction [1,2] . Asthma can be seen at any age, gender, race, time and location.…”

“…In this regard, according to the integrated asthma management, drug therapy has been focused as the important aspect of care and in addition to an emphasis on lifestyle modification (smoking cessation, allergen avoidance, physical activity and proper nutrition, etc. ), using self-care strategies, mental and emotional health-based interventions and body-mind-based therapies, using appropriate evidence-based approaches has been also considered [2,3,6,9,10] . Complementary medicine is based on easy, relatively inexpensive and with little side effects approaches, which is used in addition to conventional medicine to treat and prevent many physical and mental disorders.…”