Abstract
In asthma, it has been hypothesized that suppressor T-lymphocytes play a protective role and have been reported to be functionally abnormal. Thymic hormone thymulin plays a role in the differentiation of T-lymphocytes and plasmatic thymulin concentration and is related to the functional state of the thymus. To assess the participation of the thymus in the impairment of T-lymphocyte function, we measured plasma thymulin activity in children with allergic asthma (N = 40). The plasma thymulin activity was compared with plasma thymulin activity of children with nonallergic asthma (N = 6), children with atopic dermatitis (N = 9) or allergic rhinitis (N = 7), and in age-matched healthy control children (N = 18) (age range of children studied, 2 to 19 years). Thymulin activity was found within the normal range ( 1 16 to 1 64 ) in all control children and in all children with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as in all children with intrinsic asthma and atopic dermatitis. Our findings are at variance with the low thymulin activity previously reported in allergic asthma, and we could not explain these discrepancies. (Both studies used the same bioassay, and the population studied did not appear to be different.) T-lymphocyte abnormalities in subjects with asthma must be assessed by other means than measurement of thymic function.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
