• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2000

Background : The level of serum eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) is elevated in Atopic Dermatitis patients. Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of serum ECP as a tool of evaluate the efficacy of herb medicine for atopic dermatitis. Material and Method : We investigated 20 patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and analyzed the relationship among the serum level of ECP, IgE, Eosinophil count, and clinical disease activity. Result: Significant elevation in the serum level of ECP, IgE, Eosinophil count is observed in Atopic Dermatitis. Conclusion : The serum level of ECP may be considered to be an useful tool in evaluate effect of herb medicine for atopic dermatitis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 2011

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in school-age children has increased in industrialized countries. As diet is one of the main factors provoking AD, some studies have suggested that food additives in processed foods could function as pseudoallergens, which comprise the non-immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is an eosinophil granule protein released during allergic reactions to food allergens in patients with AD. Thus, serum ECP levels may be a useful indicator of ongoing inflammatory processes in patients with AD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of consuming MSG in processed foods on serum ECP levels among children with AD. This study was performed with 13 patients with AD (age, 7-11 years) who had a normal range of total IgE levels (< 300 IU/ml). All participants ate normal diets during the first week. Then, six patients were allocated to a processed food-restricted group (PRDG) and seven patients were in a general diet group (GDG). During the second week, children in the PRDG and their parents were asked to avoid eating all processed foods. On the third week, children in the PRDG were allowed all foods, as were the children in the GDG throughout the 3-week period. The subjects were asked to complete a dietary record during the trial period. Children with AD who received the dietary restriction showed decreased consumption of MSG and decreased serum ECP levels and an improved SCORing score on the atopic dermatitis index (P < 0.05). No differences in serum ECP levels or MSG consumption were observed in the GDG. Serum total IgE levels were not changed in either group. In conclusion, a reduction in MSG intake by restricting processed food consumption may lead to a decrease in serum ECP levels in children with AD and improve AD symptoms.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2024

Purpose: Recently, the prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) has shown an increasing trend worldwide. As the diagnosis of EGID requires invasive endoscopy with biopsy, noninvasive markers for detecting EGID in suspected patients, particularly children, are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) beyond peripheral eosinophil counts in pediatric patients with EGID. Methods: Overall, 156 children diagnosed with EGID were enrolled and 150 children with functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD) were recruited as controls. All participants underwent endoscopic biopsy in each segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and serum ECP measurement, as well as peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil count. Results: Comparing EGID (n=156) with FAPD (n=150) patients, serum ECP levels were significantly higher in pediatric patients with EGID than in those with FAPD (25.8±28.6 ㎍/L vs. 19.5±21.0 ㎍/L, p=0.007), while there was no significant difference in peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil counts between the two groups. Serum ECP levels were correlated with peripheral eosinophil percent (r=0.593, p<0.001) and the absolute eosinophil count (r=0.660, p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of serum ECP for pediatric EGID was 10.5 ㎍/mL, with a sensitivity of 69.9% and a specificity of 43.4% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.562. Conclusion: The combination of serum ECP levels and peripheral eosinophil counts, when employed with appropriated thresholds, could serve as a valuable noninvasive biomarker to distinguish between EGID and FAPD in pediatric patients manifesting GI symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1577-1584
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• 2002

Purpose : Airway inflammation is considered to be a characteristic feature of asthma, and eosinophils are recognized as the most important inflammatory cells. This study aims to assess the importance of blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) levels as a noninvasive marker of bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) in children with suspected asthma. Methods : This study used data from 87 subjects with asthma-like symptoms(6-18 years old). The $FEV_1$ and provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in $FEV_1(PC_{20})$ on methacholin inhalation challenge test were measured. Four groups were classified based on $PC_{20}$[Group I : <2 mg/mL; Group II : 2-8 mg/mL; Group III : 8-18 mg/mL; Group IV : (18 mg/mL], and blood eosinophil count and serum ECP levels were analyzed. In addition, subjects were classified based on the cutoff value of $PC_{20}$(BHR positive group : <18 mg/mL; BHR negative group : (18 mg/mL). Then blood eosinophil count and serum ECP level were compared between these two groups. Results : Likelihood ratio test for trends revealed a significant association between the blood eosinophil count or serum ECP level, and the degree of BHR as measured by methacholine $PC_{20}$. Blood eosinophil count or serum ECP level was significantly higher in the BHR(+) group than in the BHR(-) group. Blood eosinophil count had a positive correlation with serum ECP level. Conclusion : Blood eosinophil count and serum ECP level may be a useful non-invasive clinical marker of BHR in subjects with suspected asthma. This supports the hypothesis that BHR in asthma is a consequence of airway eosinophilic inflammation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1013-1018
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• 2003

Purpose : Bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) in asthma is thought to be a consequence of underlying airway inflammation. But the mechanism responsible for persistent BHR in adolescents with long-term asthma remission is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether BHR in adolescents with asthma remission is associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia and/or increased serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP). Methods : We studied 35 adolescents with long-term asthma remission(neither symptoms nor medication during the previous two years) who have persistent BHR(remission group) and 35 adolescents with symptomatic asthma(symptomatic group) who were matched for methacholine provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in $FEV_1(PC_{20})$ with subjects in the remission group. The peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations were compared between these two groups. Correlations between $PC_{20}$ and peripheral blood eosinophil counts or serum ECP concentrations were assessed in these two groups. Results : Peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations were significantly lower in the remission group than in the symptomatic group($273{\pm}108$ vs. $365{\pm}178/{\mu}L$; $16.3{\pm}9.4$ vs. $26.5{\pm}15.1{\mu}g/L$, both, P<0.05). $PC_{20}$ was correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations in the symptomatic group(r=-0.385, P=0.022; r=-0.439, P=0.008), but not in the remission group(r=-0.292, P=0.089; r=-0.243, P=0.159). Conclusion : BHR in adolescents with long-term asthma remission is not associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia or an increase in serum ECP concentration, which suggests that BHR in this clinical setting may not be attributed to airway eosinophilic inflammation. Further studies including direct assessment of airway inflammation are needed to confirm this conclusion.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 2000

In the present paper, the immunostimulatory effects of the extracellular products (ECP) from Mycobacterium spp. and various adjuvants on the non-specific immune responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis nilotica, were examined. Nile tilapia were immunized by injecting ECP of Mycobacterium spp. (strain TB40, TB267 or the type strain Mycobacterium marinum) into their swim bladders. A variety of adjuvants like as Freund s complete adjuvant (FCA), Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) and Titremax were similarly injected into additional groups of tilapia. The number of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-positive cells observed in the swim bladder of the immunized fish was signigicantly increased by the fourth day post-immunization. By day 8, the numbers of NBT-positive cells were fewer in fish immunized with ECP from mycobacteria strains TB40 or TB267 than those immunized with ECP from M. marinum or fish injected with FCA or FIA. The level of Iysozyme activity detected in the serum of fish 40 alter immunization with ECP from various Mycobacterium spp. was also significantly higher than that found in the serum of the control fish. Head kidney macrophages showed enhanced reduction of NBT when cultured in vitro with 1 $\mu$ g/ml of ECP. Concentrations greater than this (10 or 100 $\mu$g/ml) were found to suppress the reduction of NBT by the macrophages. ECP from Mycobacterium spp. and the various adjuvants used in the study all appear to be good activators of the non-specific immune responses of Nile tilapia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2001

Background : Bronchial asthma is characterized by a reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and eosinophilic airway inflammation. The bronchodilator response(BDR) after short acting beta agonist inhalation and PC20 with methacholine inhalation are frequently used for diagnosing bronchial asthma. However, the relationship between the presence of a bronchodilator response and the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness is uncertain. Therefore, the availability of a eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and a correlation ECP with a bronchodilator response and airway hyperresponsiveness was investigated. Method : A total 71 patients with a moderate to severe degree of bronchial asthma were enrolled and divided into two groups. 31 patients with a positive bronchodilator response and 38 patients with a negative bronchodilator response were evaluated. In both groups, the serum ECP, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and total IgE level were measured and the methacholine bronchial provocation test was examined. Results : There were no differences observed in age, sex, atopy, and baseline spirometry in both groups. The peripheral eosinophil counts showed no difference in both groups, but the ECP level in group 1 (bronchodilator responder group) was higher than in group 2(non-bronchodilator responder group) ($22.4{\pm}20.7$ vs $14.2{\pm}10.4$, mean$\pm$SD). The PC20 in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 ($1.14{\pm}1.68$ vs $66{\pm}2.98$). There was a significant positive correlation between the BDR and ECP, and a negative correlation between the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and ECP. Conclusion : The bronchodilator response significantly correlated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum ECP in the moderate to severe asthma patients. Hence, the positive bronchodilator response is probably related with active bronchial inflammation and may be used as a valuable index in treatment, course and prognosis of bronchial asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1126-1131
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• 2005

Purpose : Bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) is considered a hallmark of asthma. Increased levels of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) have been identified in serum of asthma patients. Several studies have examined the relationship between serum ECP and bronchial responsiveness, expressed as methacholine $PC_{20}$ in asthmatic patients, with conflicting results. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between serum ECP and ${\Delta}FVC$, another index of bronchial responsiveness, which reflects increased maximal airway response. Methods : Six to 8-year-old children with asthma(n=109) underwent methacholine bronchoprovocation testing. The $PC_{20}$ dose of methacholine and ${\Delta}FVC$ were calculated for each individual from the methacholine dose response curves. Serum ECP levels and blood total eosinophil counts were also measured. Results : Serum ECP correlated with ${\Delta}FVC$(r=0.217, P=0.023), as well as $PC_{20}$(r=-0.208, P=0.030). However, blood eosinophil counts failed to show any correlations with ${\Delta}FVC$(r=0.085, P=0.378) or $PC_{20}$(r=-0.148, P=0.125). ${\Delta}FVC$ did not correlate with $PC_{20}$(r=-0.079, P=0.417). Conclusion : Blood eosinophil activation is associated with both components of BHR including increased sensitivity and increased maximal response in 6-8 year old children with asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.795-800
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• 2010

Purpose: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member best known for its role in the survival and maturation of B cells. BAFF activity is observed in naive cells as well as in effector/memory T cells. We aimed to explore whether BAFF in sputum is expressed at elevated levels in asthmatic airways and associated with eosinophilic inflammation, pulmonary function, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four asthmatic children and 98 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Sputum supernatants were collected and sputum BAFF and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured. We performed pulmonary function tests and methacholine challenge tests, while measuring total eosinophil count, total serum IgE, and serum ECP in all subjects. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher levels of BAFF in induced sputum [26.50 (10.50-100.27) pg/mL] compared to healthy children [18.32 (7.68-44.63) pg/mL; $P$=0.011]. Sputum BAFF positively correlated with sputum eosinophils (${\gamma}$=0.406, $P$<0.001) and sputum ECP (${\gamma}$=0.789, $P$<0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between sputum BAFF and FEV1 (${\gamma}$=-0.291, $P$<0.001) or post-bronchodilator FEV1 (${\gamma}$=-0.334, $P$<0.001), whereas nonsignificant correlations were found between sputum BAFF and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, serum eosinophil count, and serum ECP. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BAFF may play a role in childhood asthma, and BAFF levels in sputum could be a supportive marker that represents airway inflammation, especially eosinophilic inflammation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.21-34
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to examine the effect and mechanism of Erycibae Caulis and Corydalis Tuber Pharmacopuncture (ECP) on a mouse model with collagen induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA). Methods : We evaluated the Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Creatinine, and the Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of serum to examine the safety of this study. In vivo, we compared the results of the non-treated group, the normal saline pharmacopuncture treated control group, the indomethacin treated group and the ECP group. We evaluated rheumatoid arthritis manifestation and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Index (AI). Also, immune cells in blood affected by ECP were evaluated by calculating the level of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, lympocytes and monocytes. Next, the level of Immunoglobulin M (IgM), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)in serum were measured. We examined the imaging of cartilage degeneration using micro CT-arthrography of the hind paw. Additionally, we examined the effects of reducing bone volume (BV) ratio and bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) ratio with 3D Micro-CT. Finally, we did a histopathologic examination analysis. Results : The absence of liver and kidney toxicity was evident. In vivo, edema of the joints of the ECP group decreased greatly in macroscopic observation. AI measurement of the ECP group also decreased significantly compared to the control group. The level of WBC, neutrophil, lympocytes, and monocytes in the blood decreased but there was no statistical significance of this data. IgM of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and GM-CSF production of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. As a result of examining joint condition with 3D micro CT, deformation and destruction of the joint was shown to have decreased. Bone density of ECP group increased at a statistically significant level compared to the control group. Degree of joint inflammation of ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. After H&E and M-T staining, infiltration of immune cells, subsidence of the cartilage, damage to the synovial cells and joint erosion decreased. Conclusion : This study showed that ECP hindered the process of rheumatoid arthritis and protected joints and cartilage.