Elevated levels of the eosinophil granule major basic protein in the sputum of patients with bronchial asthma

摘要: The eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) is toxic to parasites and mammalian cells. Because eosinophilia characteristic of asthma, we tested the effect MBP on bronchi assayed sputa for this protein. We found that damaged bronchial epithelium in vitro produced changes mimicked those asthma. Radioimmunoassay from 100 consecutive patients with respiratory diseases revealed levels above 0.1 mug/ml 13 patients, 11 these had In 15 patient hospitalized sputum were markedly elevated. Treatment bronchodilators glucocorticoids caused an increase peak expiratory flow rate, a reduction blood eosinophils, decrease serum MBP. results indicate constituents are released into asthma measurement may be useful identifying possibility damages discussed.