Efficacy of spleen aminopeptide combined with budesonide nebulization in the treatment of pediatric bronchial asthma and its impact on immune function and inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of spleen aminopeptide (SAP) combined with budesonide nebulization (BN) in the treatment of pediatric bronchial asthma, and to investigate its impact on the immune function and inflammatory cytokines of the affected population.

Method: This was a retrospective study. A total of 120 children with bronchial asthma admitted to Baoding Hospital, Beijing Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2022 to October 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a study group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group received symptomatic treatment along with BN, while the study group received additional oral SAP based on the control group regimen. After treatment, the clinical efficacy, adverse drug reaction (ADR) rate, and changes in immune markers (including CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio) and inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α], C‐reactive protein [CRP], and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]) were compared between the two groups.

Results: The overall response rate was 93% in the study group and 78% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). The ADR rate was 15% in the study group and 12% in the control group, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.60). After treatment, levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (p = 0.00, respectively). Additionally, post‐treatment levels of TNF‐α, CRP, and IL‐6 were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.00, respectively).

Conclusion: The combination therapy using SAP and BN demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in treating pediatric bronchial asthma. SAP plus BN can effectively enhance immune function and reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines without significantly increasing adverse reactions.