Evaluation serum levels of YKL-40, Periostin, and some inflammatory cytokines together with IL-37, a new anti-inflammatory cytokine, in patients with stable and exacerbated asthma.

INTRODUCTION

As asthma has a wide range of inflammatory pathways, the researchers were focused on the markers that may be associated with exacerbation and stability in asthma.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to investigate the serum levels of some inflammatory markers and cytokines in stable and exacerbated asthmatic patients.

METHODS

The study included in 59 non-smoker asthma patient (Exacerbated=25, Stable=34) and 30 healthy volunteers. The serum level of periostin, YKL-40, IL-4, IL-5, IL-37, and TNF-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Except for IL-37, the periostin, YKL-40, IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-α level in asthmatic patients were significantly higher than those of healthy control. In the exacerbated group, the periostin, YKL-40, IL-5, and TNF-α level were significantly higher than stable asthma and healthy control groups. The serum levels of IL-4 in exacerbated and stable asthma groups were significantly higher than healthy control group. There was a significant difference between IL4 levels, in stable asthma and healthy control groups. In exacerbated asthma group, IL-37 level was significantly lower than stable and healthy control groups. The highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) was found for IL-4. While there was a significant negative correlation between these parameters and FEV1, there was a positive correlation between IL-37 and FEV1, but not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that increased serum periostin, YKL-40, IL-5, IL-4, and TNF-α and decreased serum IL-37 were associated with exacerbation showing uncontrolled asthma.