Roles of TNF-α and IL-6 in Malnutrition and Hypoxemia in Patients with COPD

Objective:To investigate the roles of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6) in malnutrition and hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods: Forty five patients with stable COPD and 25 controls were recruited.The patients were divided into malnutrition group and non-malnutrition group,which were include 24 and 21 cases,respectively.The body mass index(BMI),the percentage of ideal body weight(NW%),body fat percentage(FAT%),mid-upper arm circumference(MAC),serum albumin(ALB),total lymphocyte count(LYM),and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured.Moreover,arterial blood gas analysis was performed in all cases.Then the data were analyzed to determine the correlation of TNF-α,IL-6,and various nutritional parameters with arterial partial pressure of oxygen.Results: BMI,NW,and MAC in cases were significantly lower than in controls,while the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in cases were significantly higher than in controls.BMI,NW,FAT%,MAC,ALB in malnutrition group were significantly lower than in non-malnutrition group and control group.A negative correlation was found between the level of TNF-α and BMI in patients with malnutrition.And a negative correlation was also seen between IL-6 and PO2 in all cases.Conclusion: The serum TNF-α may be involved in malnutrition in patients with COPD.IL-6 is associated with hypoxemia in patients with COPD.