Expression of toll-like receptor 4 on peripheral blood monocytes and serum level of TNF-α in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases treated by ulinastatin

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the expression of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) on peripheral monocytes and on serum level of TNF-α in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD). Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 patients with COPD and 20 healthy controls, in which monocytes were isolated and RT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of TLR4 mRNA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum level of TNF-α. Results The expressions of TLR4 mRNA on monocytes and serum levels of TNF-α in COPD patients before and after ulinastatin treatment were significantly higher than those in healthy controls(P 0.05). Expression of TLR4 mRNA on monocytes and serum level of TNF-α were significantly decreased after ulinastatin treatment(P 0.05). The expression of TLR4 mRNA on monocytes was positively correlated with serum level of TNF-α. Conclusions Expression of TLR4 mRNA on monocytes and serum level of TNF-α were increased, and may be associated with chronic inflammation in COPD patients. Ulinastatin could obviously inhibit the inflammatory response in COPD patients.