Disclosed are methods of treating an individual having asthma wherein the method comprises administering to the individual an amount of ²-hydroxy-²-methylbutyrate (HMB) effective to modulate or otherwise cause an increase in the ratio of type (1) to type (2) cytokines, including an increase in the ratio of type (1) to type (2) cytokines without a corresponding increase in type (2) cytokine levels. The methods of the present invention arc based upon the discovery that HMB modulates cytokine production, most typically by increasing type (1) cytokines without a corresponding increase in type (2) cytokines.本發明揭示治療患有以1型細胞活素與2型細胞活素產生不平衡為特徵之病症之個體的方法，其中該方法包括投與該個體有效調節或另外引起1型細胞活素與2型細胞活素之比率增加(包含1型細胞活素與2型細胞活素之比率增加而2型細胞活素含量不相應增加)之量的β－羥基－β－甲基丁酸酯(HMB)。本發明亦揭示使用HMB治療哮喘及過敏症之方法。本發明之方法係基於HMB最通常藉由增加1型細胞活素而不相應增加2型細胞活素來調節細胞活素產生之發現。
