Abstract
Tryptophan metabolic pathway is involved in pathogenic mechanisms of asthma. This study aimed to evaluate tryptophan metabolites and neopterin in a group of asthmatic children. Tryptophan metabolites and neopterin were measured in asthmatic children (121, 71 males, 50 females, mean age 11.6 + 3.2 years) and well-matched healthy controls (63, 32 males, 31 females, mean age 10.7 + 2.6 years). Tryptophan, kynurenine, and neopterin levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children than in healthy controls (p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p = 0.0015 respectively). Tryptophan metabolites and neopterin are increased in asthmatic children; these mediators underline the complex mechanisms involved in the immune response in asthma.