Differences in Lymphocyte Survival and T-Helper Balance in Asthma
Author Information
Author(s): Abdulamir AS, Hafidh RR, Abubakar F, Abbas KA
Primary Institution: University Putra Malaysia
Hypothesis
The study aims to explore the differences in apoptotic potential, CD4/CD8 ratio, memory compartment, and T-helper profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with mild and severe asthma.
Conclusion
The mechanisms of inflammation vary significantly with the severity of asthma, with mild asthma being Th2-oriented and severe asthma being Th1-oriented.
Supporting Evidence
- The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was higher in severe asthmatics compared to mild asthmatics and healthy individuals.
- Memory/naïve ratio of PBL was higher in severe asthmatics than in mild asthmatics.
- The IL-4/IFN-γ ratio was significantly lower in severe asthmatics than in mild asthmatics and healthy volunteers.
Takeaway
This study shows that people with mild asthma have a different immune response compared to those with severe asthma, which affects how their bodies react to inflammation.
Methodology
The study involved 52 asthmatic patients and 20 healthy volunteers, comparing lymphocyte markers and cytokine levels using immunocytochemistry and ELISA.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of participants and the specific methods used for diagnosis and sampling.
Limitations
The study was limited to a specific population in Malaysia and may not be generalizable to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 17 to 53 years, with 36 having mild intermittent asthma and 16 having severe persistent asthma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website