Inhaled sodium cromoglycate reduces the expression of asthma-relevant cytokines by peripheral blood t cell in child asthma. this supports its possible use as preventative therapy in child asthma

We addressed the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled sodium cromoglycate (SCG) in childhood asthma.  Ethical approval was granted by the regional ethics committee. All patients and their parents received written information concerning the purpose of the study, and parents provided written consent.

Seven asthmatic children aged 7-13 years needing regular preventative therapy for the first time for asthma control were followed for 4-6 (mean 4.8) months after commencing SCG at a dosage of 10 mg 4 times daily by metered-dose inhaler.  Just prior to commencing therapy and at the end of follow-up, CD4 and CD8 T cells were isolated from peripheral blood samples and the percentages of these cells expressing mRNA encoding interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 determined using in situ hybridisation with specific, anti-sense riboprobes. Clinical improvement was accompanied by significant reductions in the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells expressing mRNA encoding IL-5 and IL-4, and CD8+ T cells expressing IL-5 mRNA.  The data are compatible with the hypothesis that clinical improvement associated with inhaled SCG therapy in childhood asthma results at least in part from inhibition of elevated Th2 cytokine synthesis by T cells.