Baek Keun Lim

Eosinophil cationic protein in Henoch-Schönlein purpura and in IgA nephropathy

In order to identify the relationship between eosinophil activation in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and IgA nephropathy, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was analyzed in both conditions. The soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) was also analyzed. The levels of ECP were significantly higher in HSP patients (mean 9.7±1.8 μg/l) than in a control group (mean 4.6±0.7 μg/l). When the HSP patients were classified into two groups, one with normal urine and one with abnormal urine, the latter showed higher levels of ECP than the former. Levels of ECP were not significantly higher in IgA nephropathy patients than in a control group. The sIL-2R levels were elevated in the serum of HSP and IgA nephropathy patients compared with controls. In conclusion, eosinophil activation may be involved in the pathogenesis of HSP but not in IgA nephropathy.

Reference values for serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in Korean children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Measurements of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are utilized in the diagnostic work-up and clinical management of children with growth disorders. We designed this study to establish the reference values of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels according to age, sex and pubertal stage in Korean children and adolescents. METHODS For the study, 1378 healthy Korean children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years (722 boys, 656 girls) were randomly selected. Blood samples were collected, and the stored sera were assayed for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 using immunoradiometric assay (IRMA, Immunotech). The R 2.8.1 program (Bell Laboratories) was used to generate reference percentile curves for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 according to age, sex, and pubertal stage RESULTS Serum IGFBP-3 level was higher in girls compared to that in boys of the same ages throughout the pubertal period, whereas IGF-I was only higher for girls younger than 13 years of age. Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 increased steadily with age in the prepubertal stage, followed by a progressive decline thereafter. Peak levels of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed two years earlier in girls compared to those in boys (13 vs. 15 years of age, respectively). Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were highest at Tanner stage IV in boys and girls, with a subsequent decline. CONCLUSIONS Our reference value model based on age, sex, and pubertal stage can improve the diagnostic utility of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in the evaluation and management of Korean children and adolescents with growth disorders.