Urinary leukotriene E4 in Henoch-Schonlein purpura

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Abstract
Children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) occasionally have allergic disease. We have previously shown that pranlukast hydrate was effective for purpura in HSP. Pranlukast hydrate is a leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist; therefore, it is likely that LTs take part in the cause of HSP. Urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4u) levels are a useful index of whole-body cysteinyl LT production in vivo. In this study, LTE4u was examined in children with HSP.The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between the level of LTE4u and the cause of HSP.Eighteen HSP children (six boys and 12 girls) and six healthy children were enrolled.LTE4u levels in patients with HSP were significantly higher (P< 0.05) at the onset than those in healthy children. Four weeks therapy with pranlukast hydrate lowers LTE4u levels in patients with HSP (P< 0.05). There were no differences in LTE4u between the group of HSP patients with purpura nephritis and the group of HSP patients without purpura nephritis.These results indicate that csyteinyl LTs may play a role in the pathophysiology of purpura in HSP.