The effect of 16 Arg/Gly β2–adrenergic receptors gene polymorphism on pulmonary function in asthmatic children treated with nebulized salbutamol

Abstract

Background: The β2-adrenergic receptor gene is a typical candidate for the study of genetic polymorphism, the biological relevance, and clinical consequences of polymorphisms. Many patients with asthma do not respond to β2-agonist; in addition, a wide interindividual variability in pharmacological response exists, likely because of the interaction between clinical, environmental, and genetic factors. Methods: A total of 80 asthmatic children, including 55 males and 25 females with acute attacks ages range between 5 and 18 years, attended the Respiratory Clinic at Karbala Pediatric Hospital, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine SNP of β2-adrenergic receptor gene at nucleic acid 46 (16 amino acid position). Results: Asthmatic children having GG genotype showed significant increase (P 0.05) in FEV1/FVC ratio after treatment with nebulized salbutamol, patients having GG genotype of 16Arg/Gly SNP showed highest change (increase) in FEV1 (204.44 ± 175.35) ml and in FEV1% predicted (15.22 ± 14.75) % after treatment with nebulized salbutamol in compared with other genotypes groups, although this change is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Asthmatic children having GG (Gly16Gly) genotype showed better improvement in lung function after nebulized salbutamol in compared with those having AA (Arg16Arg) and those having heterozygous AG (Arg16Gly) during mild-to-moderate acute asthma attacks.

Keywords

• childhood asthma
• nebulized salbutamol
• spirometry
• β2-adrenergic receptor gene