Association of asthma with serum IgE levels and aging

Bronchoalveolar cells and the release of histamine and leukotrienes, LTC₄, and LTB₄, from leucocytes

Abstract

Association of age and serum IgE levels with pathophysiology of asthma was examined in 64 patients with asthma. Positive RAST scores of 2+ or more to inhaled allergens were significantly higher in patients with high serum IgE than in those with low serum IgE in 4059 year-olds. The proportion of BAL lymphocytes was significantly higher in patients over age 60 with high serum IgE compared with those between 20 and 39 and between 40 and 59 with either high or low serum IgE. The release of histamine or leukotriene C₄, from leucocytes was significantly higher in patients with high serum IgE than in those with low serum IgE in 20-39 (both histamine and LTC₄) and over 60 year-olds (histamine).