Exhaled RANTES and interleukin 4 levels after exercise challenge in children with asthma

We found that exercise challenge, leading to hyperosmolar stimulus, may increase exhaled RANTES levels in children with asthma. In addition, exhaled RANTES levels correlate well with serum IgE, severity of asthma, FEV1/FVC ratio, and body mass index. RANTES and IL-4 may not be independent predictors for EIB. Furthermore, eosinophil count and FEV1/FVC ratio may predict the presence and severity of EIB in asthmatic children.