Relationship between the benefits of suplatast tosilate, a Th2 cytokine inhibitor, and gene polymorphisms in children with bronchial asthma.

Although currently available antiasthmatic drugs are effective for many patients with bronchial asthma, some patients do not respond well to medications or exhibit more frequent adverse effects compared to other patients. Antiasthmatic treatment should be tailored individually according to the predispositions and pathophysiological conditions of patients. No reports have been made concerning the relationships between the effects of Th2 cytokine inhibitors and gene polymorphisms.

A novel single-nucleotide substitution, Glu 4 Lys, in the leukotriene C4 synthase gene associated with allergic diseases.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) play important roles in bronchial asthma, and can mediate bronchial smooth muscle constriction and increase mucous secretion, vascular permeability and cellular infiltration. We identified a novel heterozygous single-nucleotide substitution 10G>A (Glu 4 Lys) in the first exon of the leukotriene C4 synthase gene (LTC4S). This substitution was detected in 5 of 141 allergic patients, but not in 110 nonallergic subjects.

Intrinsic factors for unbound theophylline.

The developmental changes of the ratio of unbound theophylline to total serum concentration have been demonstrated, suggesting clinical usefulness. However, the molecules that can replace the theophylline binding sites of albumin could influence theophylline-binding affinity. We evaluated the intrinsic factors influencing the unbound theophylline ratio.

Changes of autonomic nervous system function in patients with breath-holding spells treated with iron.

To evaluate the autonomic nervous system of patients with breath-holding spells after iron treatment, we attempted to determine whether a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system reflexes exists in children with severe cyanotic breathholding spells. An electrocardiogram for each subject was recorded for 24 hours in the subject's home and parasympathetic activity was investigated by the fast Fourier transform method. Hematologic data and clinical symptoms of all three patients treated with iron improved and attacks of severe breath-holding spells disappeared.

[Evaluation before and after pranlukast administration with the QOL questionnaire (revised version 2001) for pediatric patients with bronchial asthma and their parents or caregivers].

We conducted a longitudinal investigation with the QOL questionnaire (revised version 2001) before and after the 4-week-administration of a leukotriene receptor antagonist pranlukast. A significant improvement in the < 4 yrs group was observed at week 1, and that in > or = 4 yrs group at week 2. Under these conditions, the overall QOL score, physical domains and mental domains, significantly improved in both the < 4 yrs group and the > or = 4 yrs group.

Predominant expression of 950delCAG of IL-18R alpha chain cDNA is associated with reduced IFN-gamma production and high serum IgE levels in atopic Japanese children.

Background: We previously reported that serum IgE levels were negatively correlated with the amount of IFN-gamma produced by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated or IL-12-stimulated PBMCs and that one of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of atopy was the reduced IFN-gamma production, which led to upregulated IgE production.

Objective: IL-18 is also known to be a strong inducer of IFN-gamma production. However, it has not yet been determined whether IL-18 is associated with atopic disease.