Investigation on the plasma levels of interleukin-18,interleukin-16,interleukin-4,and interferon-γ in acute asthmatics and their clinical implications

Objective To investigate the plasma levels of interleukin 18 (IL 18),IL 16,IL 4 and interferon γ (IFN γ) in acute asthmatics and their clinical implications.Methods A total of 60 acute asthmatics (30 severe and 30 moderate) and 30 healthy subjects were recruited into the study.IL 18,IL 16,IL 4 and IFN γ levels were detected with Sandwich SELISA procedures.Results At acute attack stage of patients with asthma,the plasma levels of IL 16 were at least 3 fold lower than that of healthy subjects ( P 0 05).The plasma levels of IL 18 and IL 4 were decreased in the patients with asthma( P =0 011 and P =0 006).The plasma levels of IFN γ did not change significantly ( P 0 05).There were correlations between the levels of IL 18 and IL 16 ( r =0 65 , P 0 05),IFN γ and IL 16 ( r =0 66, P 0 05),IFN γ and monocyte counts ( r =0 39, P 0 05). Conclution IL 18,IL 16,IL 4,and IFN γ may play rolesin the pathogenesis of asthma and the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines may become obscure in moderate and severe acute asthma with a relatively long history of illness.