Study of correlation between the levels of serum MLCKs and other indicators of pulmonary function in asthma

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and other indicators of pulmonary function in asthma, and the possible role of MLCK in asthma. Methods 59 cases of asthma patients and 47 cases of normal control were collected in our hospital. The levels of serum MLCK, FVC, FEV1 pred%, FEV1/FVC were detected. The relationships between serum MLCK and other indicators of pulmonary function were analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation analysis, and the influences of age, BMI on the level of serum MLCK were also analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the serum level of MLCK was higher in asthma patients group (P<0.05). The results showed that serum MLCK had no correlation with age and BMI, but had positive correlation with FVC, FEV1 pred% and FEV1/FVC. Conclusion The positive correlation of MLCK with the indicators of pulmonary function suggests that serum MLCK might play an important role in airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Key words: Asthma; Myosin light chain kinase; Airway hyperresponsiveness; Pulmonary function