Interleukin-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with COPD

Objective To obtain new insights into the behavior of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalv eolar lavage fluid (BALF) and released from alveolar macrophages (AM) in chroni c obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and reveal the relationship between IL -6 and the development of emphysema in COPD.Methods IL-6 in BALF and released by AM in BALF were examined in 7 non-smoking subject s and 21 patients with COPD. According to the 95% confidence limits of IL-6 in BALF from non-smoking subjects, the patients were divided into two groups: tho se who were within the limits were assigned to the first group, and those who we re above the limits were assigned to the second group.Results The concentration of IL-6 released by AM was much higher in the second group th an in the first one. Between the two groups, significant differences were fou nd in pulmonary function.Conclusion Our results suggest that the concentration of IL-6 released by AM may be relate d with pulmonary function, and IL-6 may play a role in the development of emphysema in patients with COPD.