Abstract：OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5), leukotriene B_4 (LTB_4) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) at different phases to explore the role of IL-5 , LTB_4 and CRP in the pathogenesis of HSP. METHODS: Serum levels of IL-5, LTB_4 and CRP in 27 normal children and 31 children with HSP at the acute phase and the early recovery phase were detected using ELISA. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-5, LTB_4 and CRP in children with HSP were 53.8±4.2 pg/mL, 95.3±12.0 pg/mL and 36.10± 11.78 mg/L , respectively at the acute phase. The values were significantly decreased at the early recovery phase (37.8± 3.9 pg/mL , 45.7±10.1 pg/mL, 18.35±6.43 mg/L; P<0.01), but remained higher than those in normal controls (12.7± 3.2 pg/mL , 17.6±5.7 pg/mL, 4.75±2.85 mg/L; P<0.01). The serum levels of IL-5 and LTB_4 positively correlated to the CRP level. CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of IL-5 and LTB_4 in children with HSP increased during the acute phase and decreased at the early recovery phase, suggesting that IL-5 and LTB_4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of HSP.
