Gender Features and Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Neurogenic and Allergic Inflammation Markers in Children with Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

The article analyzes the gender and clinical and prognostic significance of substance P (subst. P), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as a markers of neurogenic inflammation and interleukins (IL) 2, 4, 5 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) as markers of allergic inflammation in 34 children with bronchial asthma (BA) aged 10–17 years. The concentration of these markers was determined in blood serum by ELISA twice — in uncontrolled and controlled course of BA. It is proved that the levels of neuropeptide Subst. P and IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma had no gender differences and did not reflect the degree of BA control. Analysis of VIP and IL-5 levels revealed a gender dependence of their fluctuations: VIP level was statistically lower, and IL-5 level — higher in boys with uncontrolled BA forms as compared to healthy boys. It can be assumed that the tendency to BA and a higher incidence of BA in boys is associated with reduced VIP levels as a bronchodilator and increased levels of IL-5 as interleukin of allergic inflammation. Upon reaching control over BA course, there was observed an increase in VIP level and decrease in IL-5 level to levels of appropriate indicators in healthy children, regardless of the duration of the disease. Determination of VIP and IL-5 levels can be used as diagnostic markers for efficacy of treatment being carried out and the degree of BA course controllability.

Keywords

• bronchial asthma
• children
• neuropeptides
• interleukins.