Immunological parameters and cortisol levels in children with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Introduction. The role of individual cytokines in the development of various clinical forms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the effect of cortisol on this process in children have not been sufficiently studied. Objective. To study the nature of cellular and humoral immunity disorders and the content of cytokines and cortisol in children with AD. Methods. The study involved 168 children, aged 1 to 18 years, with AD, in whom their immune status was determined. CD3, CD4, CD8 CD16 CD19 were determined by flow cytofluorometry, the concentration of IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-gamma, and cortisol by the ELISA method. The Excel program, Statistica 6.0 and the on-line SISA calculator were used. Average values are given in the form (M ± m), where M is the average value of the indicator, m is the standard error of the mean; n – the volume of the analyzed group. Results. The total number of leukocytes in children with AD did not exceed the norm, but it was likely to increase in case of a severe course. In all age groups and at varying severity of AD, there was a tendency to lymphocytosis, with severe course of the disease – to neutrophilia (p<0.05), an increase in the concentration of CD19 and CD16 (p<0.05). In severe forms of AD, higher IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and lower IL-2 and INF- were reported. Proliferation to dysimmunoglobulinemia was revealed: reduction of serum IgA concentration, increase of serum IgE and IgG concentrations. Concentration of cortisol decreased in boys with AD and increased in girls. Conclusion. In the immunopathogenesis of AD there is an imbalance between individual subpopulations of T- and B-lymphocytes, changes in the differentiation of T-lymphocytes and their profile of cytokine secretion, dysimmunoglobulinemia, signs of adrenal cortex dysfunction.

Keywords

• atopic dermatitis
• T- and B-lymphocytes
• immunoglobulins
• cortisol