Changes in RANTES and β-Thromboglobulin after Intensive Exercise in Patients with Allergic Asthma

Abstract

Background: There is increasing evidence that exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation. In the pathogenesis of EIB the role of chemokines – responsible for promoting the migration and activation of inflammatory cells – as well as blood platelets, a potential source of those chemokines, remains unclear. Methods: The study was conducted in a group of 19 asthmatics (11 with EIB, 8 without EIB) and 8 healthy volunteers. Changes in the plasma concentrations of RANTES and β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) induced by intensive exercise were determined. Moreover, the possible correlation of these measurements with the results of other tests used in the diagnosis of asthma as well as laboratory tests commonly associated with asthma were investigated. Results: A comparison of the concentrations of β-TG in all groups studied at rest did not reveal any significant differences. In all groups studied, 30 min after exercise elevated β-TG concentrations were observed; the most significant increase was revealed in asthmatics with EIB. The baseline concentrations of RANTES before exercise in both groups of asthmatics were significantly higher in comparison to the group of healthy volunteers. After exercise, in the group of patients with EIB, a significant increase in RANTES concentrations was observed. These changes correlated with an increase in other markers of airway inflammation 24 h after exercise. Conclusions: We suggest that platelet activation, resulting in elevated RANTES release, could be one of the factors responsible for the increase of airway inflammation observed in consequence of EIB in asthmatics.

Changes in High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Serum and Exhaled Breath Condensate after Intensive Exercise in Patients with Allergic Asthma

“…There are a few reports also suggesting that EIB, through the release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of inflammatory cells, could augment airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity [19,20]. …”

Current and future biomarkers in allergic asthma

“…Platelets are carrying multiple mediators such as leukotrienes (31), platelet factor 4 (CXCL-4) (32), b-thromboglobulin (33), CCL-5 (RANTES) (33), thromboxane (34) or serotonin (35). These mediators are directly correlated with severe asthma (32), and therefore, CXCL-4 may serve as a biomarker.…”

RANTES in Exhaled Breath Condensate of Allergic Asthma Patients with Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

“…Results of our previous studies indicate that platelet activation, and the increase in RANTES release probably related to this activation, could be one of the factors triggering increased airway inflammation following EIB in asthmatic patients [13]. …”

“…In our previous studies in asthmatic patients, plasma concentrations of RANTES were increased following EIB, possibly due to platelet activation [13]. In the present study, we aimed to determine the role of RANTES expression in the airways in the pathogenesis of EIB in asthmatics.…”