ABSTRACT
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. Epidemiological studies show that asthma will develop among around 40% of children under six years old with symptoms of bronchial obstruction. Diagnosis of asthma is complicated, especially in the paediatric population. As a result, a lot of research is being carried out to establish the pathophysiology and to find new biomarkers of this disease. Progranulin (PGRN) is a recently discovered growth factor with many biological functions. PGRN has anti-inflammatory properties because it inhibits neutrophil degranulation and blocks tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) transmission. The underlying mechanisms are still being researched, but TNF-α is considered to be a cytokine responsible for neutrophilic inflammation in the airways and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Therefore, PGRN, by lowering TNF-α concentration and stimulating regulatory T-cell (Treg) proliferation, relieves symptoms of bronchial inflammatory diseases. This article attempts to verify the current knowledge about basic pathophysiological mechanisms in asthma. We also summarise the most recent research advances in the role of PGRN in the respiratory system.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the impact of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D concentration in plasma, calcium urinary excretion and bone density in patients with urolithiasis in the course of idiopathic hypercalciuria and with a low vitamin D level. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospective analysis concerning 28 patients (16 boys, 12 girls) aged 6-14 years (average 10.4) in terms of urinary calcium excretion (mg/kg/day and Ca/Creatinine ratio in morning urine sample), 25OHD blood level after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of individually recommended doses of vitamin D supplementation (400 IU or 800 IU). The doses were determined on the basis of 25 (OH) D deficiency. The children were on a normocalcemic diet. The bone mineral density of the patients was assessed before and after 12 months of vitamin D use at the aforementioned doses. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant correlation between 25 (OH) D plasma concentration and urinary calcium excretion measured on Ca /Creatinine ratio in daily urine collection and Ca/Creatinine ratio in the morning urine sample. No statistically significant change in calcium excretion was noted (measured by calciuria in daily urine collection and the calcium to creatinine ratio in the morning urine sample). A statistically significant increase in vitamin D plasma concentration was observed. Improvement in bone mineral density was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of vitamin D in the children with idiopathic hypercalciuria and urolithiasis who were examined seems to be safe. The decision to start treatment and the selection of the vitamin D dose should be considered individually. Patients with urolithiasis should be carefully monitored for calcium/phosphate metabolism parameters and the activity of the disease. Supplementation of low doses vitamin D in the children examined did not improve bone mineral density.
