Circulating phospholipase-A2 activity in obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent tonsillitis

Abstract

Objective: Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays a major part in growth regulation, differentiation and inflammation. It has been proposed as an evaluating marker for infection and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate activity of serum type II secretory PLA2 (sPLA2 IIa) in obstructive sleep apnea (USA) and recurrent infective tonsillitis (RT) in children. Methods: Activity of serum sPLA2 Ha was determined in children who underwent tonsillectomy, including USA in 126 cases and RT in 60. Serum enzyme activities were measured using the standard assay with Diheptanoyl Thio-Phosphatidylcholin as substrate. Results: The sPLA2 IIa activity of serum was significantly higher in RT than in OSA (P < 0.01). Serum sPLA2 IIa activity in the RT patients was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.26; P = 0.02), which was not apparent in USA (r = 0.14; P = 0.09). Conclusion: This study suggests that serum sPLA2 IIa activity may be considered as a supportive diagnostic marker in suspected or clinically unclear cases of RT children. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.