Reversed Changes of Lipoxin A(4) and Leukotrienes in Children With Asthma in Different Severity Degree

Objectives: To investigate the expressions of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in leukocytes and the changes of blood lipoxin A(4)(LXA(4)), leukotriene (LT)B-4 and LTC4 in children with asthma, and to explore the relationship between the blood eicosanoids and one of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8 and IL-13 and IgE in children with asthma. Study Design: One hundred six asthmatic children were divided into three groups, that is, mild persistent asthmatic group, moderate persistent asthmatic group and severe persistent asthmatic group. Forty healthy children were served as controls. Methodology: The expressions of 15-LO and 5-LO mRNA in leukocytes were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the blood LXA(4), LTB4, LTC4, IL-5, IL-8, and IL-13 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum hsCRP was determined with latex-enhanced immuno-turbidimetry kits. Results: The leukocytic 15-LO expression and blood LXA(4) were gradually decreased, and the leukocytic 5-LO expression, blood LTB4, LTC4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, and hsCRP were gradually increased in children with asthma from mild degree to moderate and severe degree. There were positive correlations between blood LXA(4) and one of the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) percent-predicted values, and negative correlations between blood LTC4 and one of the PEF and FEV1 percent-predicted values in children with asthma. There were negative correlations between blood LXA(4) and one of the IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, and hsCRP levels, and positive correlations between one of blood LTB4, LTC4 and one of the IL-5, IL-8, IL-13 and hsCRP levels in children with asthma. Conclusions: The reversed changes between 15-LO, its product LXA(4) and 5-LO, its products LTB4 and LTC4 in children with asthma from mild, moderate to severe degree were found, suggesting that insufficient generation of LXA(4) and overproduction of LTs may be the reason for the asthmatic children whose illness become more serious. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:333-340. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.