IL-6 and IL-13 in induced sputum of COPD and asthma patients: correlation with respiratory tests.

BACKGROUND: IL-6 is strongly implicated in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). IL-13 is the well-documented central mediator in allergic asthma. IL-6 is attributed to the proinflammatory activities in COPD as well as asthma. In COPD patients exacerbation is increased by serum IL-6. The association of IL-13 as well as IL-6 with the impaired respiratory function of asthma patients remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of IL-6 and IL-13 in the induced sputum of asthma and COPD patients, and to assess the possible association of these cytokines with the impairment of lung function. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with COPD and 18 subjects with asthma were enrolled in this study. IL-6 and IL-13 levels were measured in induced sputum by ELISA and correlated with the results of respiratory tests. RESULTS: The induced sputum of COPD patients had a significantly higher IL-6 level than the sputum of asthma subjects while no significant differences were found in the levels of IL-13. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between IL-6 level and FEV(1) or FEV(1)/FVC in asthma patients (r = -0.59 and -0.54, respectively) and a negative correlation that did not reach statistical significance between IL-6 level and FEV(1), FEV(1)% or FVC in COPD subjects (r = -0.30, -0.30 and -0.38, respectively). There was no relationship between concentrations of IL-13 and impaired respiratory function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that IL-6, but not of IL-13, is associated with respiratory disorders in both asthma and COPD patients.

[Sarcoidal reaction in lung adenocarcinoma in 50-years old man]. / Reakcja sarkoidalna wokól gruczolakoraka pluca lewego u 50-letniego chorego.

A 50-year old patient was admitted to the hospital with hoarseness persisting for two weeks. Chest computed tomography revealed enlargement of lymph nodes in the aortopulmonary window. The bronchoscopy did not show any abnormalities, in transbronchial fine needle aspiration biopsy no diagnostic material was obtained. In the biopsies collected during mediastinoscopy the sarcoid granulomas were recognized. In the follow-up the computed tomography revealed a tumor mass and diagnostic thoracotomy was performed in which pulmonary adenocarcinoma was recognized. After radiotherapy the total regression was achieved. In this case sarcoid-like reaction in the course of lung cancer and the diagnostic difficulties were described.