Abstract: | IntroductionThere is accumulated evidence supporting a beneficial role of Mediterranean diet (MD) in the control of asthma symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between adherence to MD and serum levels of certain cytokines namely, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-17 known to have a pathogenetic role in the airway changes associated with asthma.MethodsWe measured serum IL-4, IL-33, and IL-17, in 44 asthmatic and 26 healthy children, 5–15 years old. Their adherence to MD was estimated with the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) score.ResultsKIDMED score did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.59) and was not correlated with any of the three measured cytokines. However, when the analysis was restricted only to asthmatic children, the KIDMED score was correlated with IL-4, IL-33, and IL-17 (Beta: ?0.56, P = 0.007; Beta: 0.57, P = 0.010; Beta: ?0.62, P = 0.017, respectively).ConclusionOur results indicate that MD can modulate the production of some of the main inflammatory mediators of asthma, in asthmatic children. |