Serum level of selenium, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma in patients with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and healthy controls

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

modulatory effects of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma production by T-helper cells on IgE synthesis in children with atopic disease

Interleukin-4 [IL-4] is produced by T-helper cells type 2 [TH2] and induces IgE synthesis. T-helper cells type 1 [TH1] produce interferongamma [IFN-gamma] which suppresses TH2 and reduces IL-4 induced IgE production. In this study, we demonstrated that the levels of specific IgE in the serum of atopic children [n = 20] were elevated while IL-4 production was increased and IFN-gamma secretion was reduced, compared to those of control group. Interleukin -4-induced IGE synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic children in vitro was blocked in the presence of IFN-gamma. In addition, levels of soluble CD23-which is specifically induced by IL-4, were significantly elevated in our atopic patients. The data indicate that enhanced production of IL-4 and lowered IFN-gamma secretion by T-helper cells correlate with the elevated specific IGE levels in the serum of atopic children