Changes and significance of IL-18,IL-13 and TNF-α in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

【Objective】 To explore the changes and significance of IL-18,IL-13 and TNF-α in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).【Methods】 39 patients with COPD and 15 control subjects were enrolled in the study.To survey the induced sputum and serum concentration of IL-18,IL-13 and TNF-α in the acute exacerbation and stable phase of COPD by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.To compare the correlation among the cytokines,pulmonary ventilation capability and body mass index in COPD.【Results】 Serum and induced sputum concentration of IL-18 and TNF-α in stable phase of COPD were significantly higher than that in control group(P 0.05).Serum and induced sputum concentration of TNF-α and IL-13 in acute phase were significantly higher that in stable phase(P 0.05).The level of IL-18 in serum and induced sputum in stable phase were negatively correlated with FEV1(r =-0.703;r =-0.647).The level of IL-13 in induced sputum in acute phase was negatively correlated with FEV1(r =-0.385).The level of IL-18 in serum and sputum in stable phase and that in serum in acute phase were negatively correlated with BMI(r =-0.334;r =-0.359;r =-0.584).【Conclusions】 Airway inflammation and systemic inflammation mediated by many kinds of cytokines which including IL-18 and TNF-α were one of pathogenesis of COPD.IL-13 might be the prior cytokine in acute exacerbation of COPD when pulmonary function rapid breakdown.IL-18 might participate in the mechanism of malnutrition in COPD.