Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoietin-2, and Periostin Levels in Children with Recurrent Wheeze

Abstract

Background: Recurrent wheeze (RW) is frequent in preschool children. Wheezing phenotypes, asthma predictive index (API), and modified API (mAPI) have been described for clinical purposes. Our aim was to examine whether inflammatory markers including serum angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, and periostin levels differ according to wheezing phenotypes and mAPI. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight children who were <4 years of age with history of at least 4 episodes of wheezing during the past 12 months and 51 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Children with RW were classified according to wheezing phenotypes as episodic viral wheeze or multitrigger wheeze, and positive or negative mAPI. Blood for Ang-1, Ang-2, and periostin levels was drawn during wheezing episode-free periods. Results: Atopic children with RW (31.4 +/- 34.4 ng/mL) demonstrated higher serum Ang-1 levels than nonatopic children (16.5 +/- 13.8 ng/mL) with RW (P = 0.03). When we compared children according to wheezing phenotypes, we could not find any difference in serum Ang-1, Ang-2, and periostin levels between groups. Children with positive mAPI showed similar Ang-1, Ang-2, and periostin levels with children having negative API and healthy children. Conclusions: We have found higher serum Ang-1 levels in atopic children with RW, and this result might be explained by increased inflammation. The evidence was not strong enough to associate serum Ang-1, Ang-2, or periostin and asthma in preschool children with RW. However, Ang-1 can be a candidate for investigating its role in predicting atopic children and diagnosing atopic childhood asthma.