Cross-sectional analysis of serum SIRT1 and HMGB1 levels and immune function in children with recurrent respiratory infections

ZHENG Li; ZHANG Yang; YANG Yang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8134.2025.03.008

Abstract：Objective Analyze the relationship between serum levels of silence information regulator 2 related enzyme 1(SIRT1)and high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)and immune function in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections(RRTI).Methods Eighty children with RRTI admitted to the Fourteen Sixth Hospital of Nuclear Industry from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected as the study group,75 non-RRTI children admitted during the same period served as the non-RRTI group,and 75 healthy children undergoing physical examinations in the same period were chosen as the control group.serum SIRT1 and HMGB1 levels were detected by ELISA,immunoglobulin levels were determined using one-way immunodiffusion assay;CD3+T cell,CD4+T cell and CD8+T cell were quantified by flow cytometry,the correlation between serum SIRT1 and HMGB1 levels and immune function parameters were analysed by Pearson's method,factors associated with RRTI were assessed by logistic regression analysis,the diagnostic value of serum SIRT1 and HMGB1 levels for RRTI was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Level of SIRT1,immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgM,IgG,CD3+T cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells progressively decreased from the control group to the non-RRTI group and then to the study group(P＜0.05),while serum HMGB1 level was progressively increased in that order(P＜0.05).CD4+/CD8+ratio in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant inverse correlation between serum SIRT1 and HMGB1 levels(r=-0.561,P=0.000).Both serum SIRT1 and HMGB were associated with IgA,IgM,IgG,CD3+T cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells and CD4+/CD8+(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis identified SIRT1 and HMGB1 as risk factors for RRTI occurrence(P＜0.05),while IgA,IgM,IgG,CD3+T cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells and CD4+/CD8+served as protective factors(P＜0.05).The AUC for diagnosing RRTI was 0.838 for serum SIRT1 and 0.834 for serum HMGB1.The combined diagnostic AUC of both biomarkers reached 0.902,demonstrating superior diagnostic performance compared to either biomarker alone.(z=3.154,z=4.398,P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with RRTI exhibit significantly reduced serum SIRT1 expression and elevated HMGB1 expressio.Furthermore,both biomarkers demonstrate significant associations with immune competence,and their combination demonstrates potential diagnostic utility for RRTI.