Résumé
Background: Allergic diseases have increased during the past decade I worldwide. Th2 type lymphocyte response is known to play an important j role in the process of allergic inflammation. IL-4, a mediator of type II I cytokine response increases IgE synthesis and Interferon gamma, a cytokirie I of type I response interferes with IL-4 and inhibits IgE production. Selenium j is an essential component of glutathione peroxides and changes in its plasma I level has been proposed to be associated with allergic diseases
Materials and Methods: This study comprised of 21 cases of allergic asthma [AA], I 33 cases of allergic rhinitis [AR] whose age and sex were matched with 28 healthy controls. IL-4, IL-10, IFN-y levels were tested by ELISA assay, I and serum selenium was measured by atomic absorption spectorphotometery I method
Results: Mean serum selenium level of AA and AR groups were I lower than controls
Conclusion: Mean serum IL-4 level of AA was higher than the AR I group. Mean serum IL-4 level of AA and AR group were higher than I controls. The results of this study indicate that low selenium | level may have a role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases