Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Activity and Levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in Induced Sputum in the Exacerbation and Recovery of COPD Patients

Background : Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are thought to be associated with increased airway inflammation, and the NF-κB is known to be an indicator of cellular activation and of inflammatory mediator production.This study was undertaken to investigate the change of cytokine characteristics and NF-kB activity in induced sputum of COPD patients during exacerbation and recovery of the disease.Methods : Sputum induction was performed in 37 patients with COPD during exacerbation and during recovery and in 15 healthy subjects.Cell counts, levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in induced sputum and NF-kB activity in macrophage of induced sputum were measured.Results : Patients with COPD showed significantly increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α(p<0.01)and increased NF-kB activity in induced sputum(p<0.05) as compared with control subjects.Level of IL-8 during exacerbation of COPD decreased significantly during recovery(p<0.05).NF-kB activity and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α tended to be decreased during recovery, but not siginificantly.Conclusion : Activation of NF-kB and increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were thought to be associated with pathogenesis and exacerbations of COPD.(