Changes in Serum IL-8 and PDGF-AA in Silicosis Patients

Objective To observe serum interleukin-8(IL-8) and platelet-derived growth factor-AA(PDGF-AA) levels in silicosis patients and workers exposed to silica dust,and to study the roles of IL-8 and PDGF-AA in the occurrence and development of silicosis.Methods Serum IL-8 and PDGF-AA levels were determined by ELISA in 110 workers not exposed to dust(control group),211 workers exposed to silica dust for more than l year(exposed group),48 patients with suspected silicosis(origi-nally diagnosed as 0+,observation group),and l55 silicosis patients(silicosis group).Results Serum IL-8 levels in exposed group[(49.66±5.42)ng·L-1],observation group[(111.07±10.08) ngoL-1]and silicosis group[(226.45±19.03)ng·L-1]were significantly higher than those in control group[(6.55±1.94)ng·L-1](P0.01).Compared with exposed group,serum IL-8 levels obviously increased in silicosis group and observation group(P0.05 or P0.01).In addition,serum PDGF-AA levels in obs-ervation group[(56.26±14.35)ng·L-1]and silicosis group[(65.16±11.94)ng·L-1]significantly increased,compared with control group[(26.38±10.14)ng·L-1] and exposed group[(27.31±12.22)ng·L-1](P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion IL-8 and PDGF-AA were essential in the occurrence and development of silicosis.The detection of IL-8 and PDGF-AA in peripheral blood was very useful for occupational health surveillance and early diagnosis of silicosis.