All issues > Volume 48(10); 2005

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2005;48(10):1126-1131. Published online October 15, 2005.

Relationship between △FVC(% fall in FVC at the PC20 Dose of Methacholine) and Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein(ECP) in 6-8 Year Old Children with Asthma

Dong In DI Suh¹, Jinho JH Yu², Young Y Yoo³, Do Kyun DK Kim¹, Hee H Kang³, Young Yull YY Koh¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea
³Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Young Yull YY Koh ,Email: kohyy@plaza.snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) is considered a hallmark of asthma. Increased levels of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) have been identified in serum of asthma patients. Several studies have examined the relationship between serum ECP and bronchial responsiveness, expressed as methacholine PC20 in asthmatic patients, with conflicting results. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between serum ECP and △FVC, another index of bronchial responsiveness, which reflects increased maximal airway response.
Methods
: Six to 8-year-old children with asthma(n=109) underwent methacholine bronchoprovocation testing. The PC20 dose of methacholine and △FVC were calculated for each individual from the methacholine dose response curves. Serum ECP levels and blood total eosinophil counts were also measured.
Results
: Serum ECP correlated with △FVC(r=0.217, P=0.023), as well as PC20(r=-0.208, P=0.030). However, blood eosinophil counts failed to show any correlations with △FVC(r=0.085, P=0.378) or PC20(r=-0.148, P=0.125). △FVC did not correlate with PC20(r=-0.079, P=0.417).
Conclusion
: Blood eosinophil activation is associated with both components of BHR including increased sensitivity and increased maximal response in 6-8 year old children with asthma.

Keywords :Bronchial hyperresponsiveness , △FVC , PC20 , Serum ECP , Asthma , Children