Direct Evidence That LTC₄ and LTB₄ But Not TXA₂ Are Involved in Asthma Attacks in Children

Abstract

There are substantial numbers of reports showing that leukotrienes (LTs) play important roles in adult asthma. No definite evidence has been demonstrated that LTs are involved in asthma attacks in children, although it is highly expected. In this report, we demonstrated that the levels of LTB₄ and LTC₄ but not thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂), a stable metabolite of TXA₂, were significantly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was obtained from intubated and mechanically ventilated children with severe asthma attacks. This is direct evidence that LTB₄ and LTC₄ predominantly participate in asthma attacks in pediatric patients.

Key Words:

• Bronchial asthma
• Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
• Children
• Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄)
• Leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄)
• Thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂)
• Thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂)