An imbalance in antioxidant enzymes and stress proteins in childhood asthma.

Objectives: The study was undertaken to examine antioxidant status and level of the major intracellular heat shock proteins (Hsps) in healthy children and children with mild and moderate asthma.

Design And Methods: Native gel assays were performed to estimate activities of copper/zinc (CuZn) and manganese (Mn) superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy and asthmatic children. Hsp70 and Hsp90 protein levels in PBMCs were assessed by Western blot analysis.

Results: Moderate asthmatics displayed higher CuZnSOD/CAT activity ratio compared to healthy children, and increased Hsp90 level compared to mild asthmatics and healthy children.

Conclusions: With regard to the imbalance in the antioxidant enzyme activities children with moderate asthma differ from healthy children, while an increased Hsp90 expression could be associated with the disease severity, as well.