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Major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which plays a major biological function in immune response, is generally associated with so many human disease. During recent years a new clinical relevance of MHC disease. On the other hand there is a strong correlation between some autoimmune diseases and MHC system such as in some allergic abnormalities and its relation with HLA antigens. In order to investigate this concept 30 atypic asthmatic patients and 100 healthy controls were selected. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing was performed by standard NIH procedures and the results analyzed. The frequency of HLA-A2, A11, Aw19 and HLA-B51 decreased in atypic asthmatic patients with no association recorded significantly between HLA-C and allergic asthma. The results of our study indicated that there was a significant relationship between allergic asthma and HLA-I antigens.

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Background and Objective: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease during childhood and it is estimated that 4.8 million children involved in asthma all over the world and its prevalence and incidence is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the peak-flow meter application on quality of life in asthmatic children. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 80 asthmatic children between 7 to 15 years old which referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital clinic in Kashan, Iran during 2009. Susan Sylvia questionnaire included 3 parts, was filled for every child. The questions in any section had three options in which there were 5 items in activity limitation, 13 questions in symptoms and 6 questions in emotional functions. Every question had 1 to 3 points and whole questionnaire taken 23 to 69 points. The children were learnt to measure their PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) 3 times a day using Peak flow meter device and upon the results, the management procedure was changed. After 3 months the outcome were evaluated and data analyzed by SPSS-15 and paired t-test. Results: Mean age of patients was 8.82±2.75 years old. Thirty three subjects (41.3%) were girl. The average score in emotional functions was 13.1±3.07 before and 14.35±3.7 after using peak-flow meter (P<0.05). The average score in activity limitation was 7.33±1.57 and 8.47±0.67 before and after using peak-flow meter, respectively (P<0.05). The average score in symptoms before and after pek-flow meter was 28.81±5.13 and 32.02±5.62, respectively (P<0.05). Finally total score of quality of life showed significant increase in children after using peak-flow meter (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the application of pek-flow meter increase emotional functions, decrease limitation of activity and symptoms in asthmatic children. Therefore, it is suggested pek-flow meter dievice taking into account in asthma management of asthmatic patients particularly in children.

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Background and Objective: Improvement in self-care and self-efficacy behaviors has proved to be a vital factor in a successful management of asthma. This study was carried out to determine the relationship of patients self-efficacy with control of asthma symptoms. Materials and Methods: This correlation study was carried out on 257 asthmatic patients (133 men and 124 women) aged 18-35, who referred to Sheykholrayis clinic of Tabriz, Iran, during 2011. Data collection tools included a questionnaire of social-personal specifications, asthma self-efficacy scale questionnaire and asthma control questionnaire as well as patients’ spirometer parameters. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17 and Pearson Correlation Coefficient test. Results: Among aspects of self efficacy, the regular use of medicine and patient relation with physician were demonstrated to be 4±0.6 and 2.7±0.7, respectively. Among aspects of asthma control, the level of activity restriction resulted by the disease during the past week and the number of spray puffs used during past week were 3±1.1 and 1.5±1.2, respectively. There was a significant relation between self-efficacy and asthma control (P<0.001, r= -0.378). Conclusion: This study showed that in asthmatic patients, self confidence is an effective factor in the control of asthmatic symptoms.

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Background and Objective: Several studies suggest the corelation between antioxidant capacities and pulmonary function and severity of pulmonary asthma. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic training on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and pulmonary function in asthmatic men.
Methods: In this quasi - experimental study, thirty inactive and overweight adult males with mild to moderate asthma were divided into intervention (aerobic training) and control (no training) groups. The anthropometric and spirometry indeces (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) and fasting TAC before and after aerobic training program (12 weeks, 3 time/weekly at 60-75% of HRmax) were measered.
Results: After aerobic training program, TAC was significantly increased in interventional group in comparision with before of training (P<0.05). FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were significantly increased in interventional subjects in compared to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study indicated that aerobic training improves antioxidant capacity and pulmonary function in asthma patients. Improved pulmonary function can be attributed to increase in antioxidant capacity induced by aerobic intervention.

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Background and Objective: People with asthma are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and increased risk of death. Asthma is associated with the structure and function of vessel changes. In this regard, MicroRNAs, AKT and VCAM play an important role in endothelial function. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of interval training on expression of mir-126, mir-1185 AKT and VCAM in cardiac tissue rats with allergic asthma.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on 15 Wistar rats. Animals were randomly allocated into three groups (n=5) including healthy control, asthma control and asthmatic interval training. Ovalbumin solution was injected subcutaneously 3 times per week to asthma groups, and suffering from asthma was confirmed by increasing the amount of IgE. The asthma group participated in 8-week exercise training. The rats were anesthetized at the end of 8 weeks and then their heart tissue was isolated by surgical instrument and immediately placed in nitrogen fluid. Expression of mir-126, mir-1185, AKT and VCAM in rats cardiac tissue were evaluated.
Results: AKT and VCAM expression was significantly increased in asthma control group compared to healthy control group (P<0.05). mir-126, AKT and VCAM expression were significantly increased in asthmatic interval training group in compared to asthma control group (P<0.05) while Mir-1185 was significantly reduced in asthmatic interval training group in compared to asthma control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Interval training by increasing mir-126, by reducing the expression of mir-1185, AKT, and VCAM reduces the risk of atherosclerosis in rats affected with asthma.

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Background and Objective: Asthma is a chronic airway disorder with a rising prevalence. Dietary factors, antioxidant indicators and vitamin D deficiency are associated with the disease. Due to the presence of receptors for this vitamin in the lung, this study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D administration on lung function, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and total serum antioxidant activity in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 patients with asthma were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (placebo recipient) and an intervention group (recipient of 2,000 vitamin D capsules for 12 weeks). At the beginning and at the end of the study, 5 cc blood samples were taken from each patient, and spirometry test was performed. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), IgE and vitamin D parameters were measured.
Results: The mean score of forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC in both groups as well as the mean FVC in the control group did not change significantly after the intervention. The mean FVC score, vitamin D level and TAC in the intervention group increased significantly after the intervention, while the IgE levels reduced significantly.
Conclusion: Taking vitamin D tablets could increase the antioxidant parameters in asthmatic patients.