Abstract:

Objective To determine the changes of interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interleukin 23 (IL-23) from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), and to provide the reference for diagnosing and understanding the inflammation development of COPD. Methods On the basis of cytological classification for BALF, clinical data and forced expiratory volume in first second to forced vital capacity ratio(FEV1%), acute exacerbation COPD group, stable phase COPD group and non-COPD control group were determined, respectively. The IL-17 and IL-23 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The IL-17 and IL-23 levels and FEV1% increased more significantly in acute exacerbation COPD group than in stable phase COPD group and control group (P<0.01) . There was a positive linear correlation between BALF IL-17 and IL-23 in COPD groups (r²=0.698 5,P<0.001), however, there was a negative linear correlation of BALF IL-17 and IL-23 with FEV1% in COPD groups (r²=-0.527 9 and -0.541 0, P<0.001). Conclusions The IL-17 and IL-23 levels with local lung inflammatory have correlations with the changes of COPD and the clinical manifestations,especially for IL-17,which may lead to persistent inflammation. Overall, the determinations of IL-17 and IL-23 are useful for the diagnosis and surveillance of COPD.

Key words: Interleukin 17, Interleukin 23, Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease