The effect of steroid treatment on serum oxidant-antioxidant system and cytokine levels in childhood asthma

The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, immunoglobulin E, eosinophil cationic protein, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and total antioxidant status which were suggested to have a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma in children and to evaluate the effect of steroid on these parameters. 27 children, mean aged 8.9 years with mild-moderate persistent asthma for the study group and 25 healthy children, mean aged 10.3 years for the control group are included in the study group. The symptom score, respiratory function test, plasma immunoglobulin E, eosinophil cationic protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and total antioxidant status levels were measured in the study group before and 4 weeks after budenoside treatment and compared with the control group. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, immunoglobulin E and eosinophil cationic protein levels measured before treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group. Although a significant decrease was observed in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, eosinophil cationic protein and immunoglobulin E levels after inhaled steroid treatment, the interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and total antioxidant status levels showed no difference. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha, immunoglobulin E and eosinophil cationic protein levels after treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group. In conclusion, we observed that budenoside treatment in mild to moderate stable asthmatic children had no direct effect on oxidant stress, antioxidant defense, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These results lead us to the decision that the steroidal treatment may achieve a clinical improvement mainly by decreasing the levels of immunoglobulin E and eosinophil cationic protein.