The Relationship Between Interleukin-8, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α In The Sputum And Airway Inflammation In The Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases. Our study is to know relationship between interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor- α , neutrophil in sputum and airway obstruction ,smoking or smoking index , and to evaluate the role of interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor- α and neutrophil in monitoring airway inflammation of the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .Methods The research design was a case-control study. All people are male. These cases were divided into COPD group , healthy smokers group and healthy nonsmokers group(control group). There were 38 cases in COPD group , aged from 52 to 78. Healthy smoking group had 30 cases ,aged from 51 to 73.Healthy nonsmoking group had 30 cases ,aged from 51 to 74. COPD group is in coincidence with the criterion of stable COPD . At first ,the pulmonary function was testd. Then induced sputum samples were obtained from each person .Cells in induced sputum were stained with HE stain and analysed micropically. The levels of interleukin-8 andtumor necrosis factor- a in fluid-phase of sputum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method .Result(l)Levels of interleukin-8 in sputumIncreased levels of interleukin-8 had been measured in sputum of COPD group (127.92 ±32.40ng/L) compared with those of healthy smoking group (98.33 + 27.89ng/L, PO.01) and healthy nonsmoking group (66.83 + 18.92ng/L, PO.01) respective.The sputum levels of interleukin-8 in healthy smoking group(98.33±27.89ng/L) were higher than those in healthy nonsmoking group (66.83 ± 18.92ng/L, PO.05).The levels of interleukin-8 in sputum of moderate, severe cases (n=18, 136.41 ± 30.95ng/L) were not higher than these of mild COPD cases (n=20, 120.29 ± 32.69ng/L, P>0.05).For healthy smoking group , the sputum levels of interleukin-8 in some cases(smoking index>400) (n=16, 105.71 ±27.57ng/L)were not higher than those in others (smoking index^400) (n=14, 89.72±26.74ng/L, P>0.05).(2)The levels of tumor necrosis factor- a in sputumThe levels of tumor necrosis factor- a in sputum of COPD group (4.80 ± 2.23ng/L) were higher than those of healthy smoking group (2.58 + 1.32ng/L, P<0.05) and healthy nonsmoking group (2.03 ±0.78ng/L, PO.05) respective.The sputum levels of tumor necrosis factor- a did not differ significantly between healthy smoking group(2.58± 1.32ng/L) and healthy nonsmoking group (2.03 ± 0.78ng/L, P>0.05).Morever, the sputum levels of tumor necrosis factor- a in patients with moderate ,severe COPD (n=18, 5.18±2.38ng/L)were not higher than those in patients with mild COPD(n=20, 4.45±2.09ng/L, P>0.05).(3)Neutrophil proportion in sputumNeutrophil proportion in sputum in COPD group(58.91 ±5.90%) were higher than those in healthy smoking group(44.17 ± 7.06%) (PO.01 )and healthynonsmoking group(37.38±8.00%)(P<0.01) respective .Neutrophil proportion in sputum were different between healthy smoking group(44.17± 7.06%) and healthy nonsmoking group(37.38 ± 8.00%) (P<0.01).(4)ReIations of the levels of interleukin-8 and neutrophil proportion in sputumIn COPD group , the levels of interleukin-8 in sputum were obviously positive correlated with neutrophil proportion(r=0.76, t=5.91, P<0.001 ),In healthy smoking group, the levels of interleukin-8 in sputum were obviously positive correlated with neutrophil proportion(r=0.544, t=3.434, PO.01 ),In healthy nonsmoking group, the levels of interleukin-8 in sputum were not positive correlated with neutrophil proportion(r=0.336, t=1.890, P>0.05 ),(5)The sputum levels of tumor necrosis factor- a were positive correlated with neutrophil proportion (r=0.495, t=2.41, P<0.05) in COPD.(6)There was negative correlation between interleukin-8 of sputum and FEV1.0/FVC%(r=-0.589, t=4.37, PO.01) in COPD.(7)Neutrophil proportion of sputum were negatively correlated with FEVI.0/FVC%(r=-0.516, t=4.13, P<0.01) in COPD.Conclusion Neutrophil,IL-8 and TNF-a markedly increased in sputum of the patients with COPD and are associated with airway inflammation. Although the pulmonary function of the healthy smokers is normal, the sputum levels of IL-8 and neutrophil proportion indicate existence of airway inflammation. The levels of tumor necrosis factor- a in sputum of healthy smokers do not raise ,which need to further study.