Abstract
In order to demonsrate whether Interleu kin 6 (IL6) is increased in children with bronchial asthma, we have measured serum IL6 activity by bioassay using the IL6-dependent cell line MH60. BF2 and recombinant IL6 (r-IL6). All children, aged 1 to 15 years, divided into four groups, patients with asthma attack (n=10, we measured 11 times), asthmatic patients without attack (n=3), patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) (n=29) and control subjects (n=28).
The serum IL6 activity in patients with asthma attack, asthmatic patients without attack, patients with URI and control subjects was 1.152±0.230, 0.822±0.080, 1.139±0.105, 0.627±0.035U/ml, respectively.
The serum IL6 activity in patients with asthma attack was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of control subjects, but there was no significant difference in serum IL6 activity between asthmatic patiens without attack and control subjects.
We concluded that in patients with asthma attack, the serum IL6 activity is increased.
