Significants of Interleukin-17 and C-reactive protein in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

[Objective] To investigate the expression of Interleukin-17 and C-reactive protein in sputum of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. [Methods] Sputum was obtained in patients with COPD both during acute exacerbation and stable stage, healthy nonsmoking volunteers were induced as controls. The concentrations of IL-17 in induced sputum were measured by ELASA and CRP by nephelometry method. [Results] The level of IL-17 in COPD with acute exacerbation is significantly higher than that in stable stage (P 0.01). The level of CRP in acute exacerbation is significantly higher than that in stable stage (P 0.01). [Conclusion] IL-17 and CRP may be involved in the acute inflammation in COPD.