[Determination of interleukin-8 in induced sputum of workers exposed to low concentrations of asbestos]. / Determinazione dell'interleuchina-8 nell'espettorato indotto di lavoratori esposti a basse concentrazioni di asbesto.

ABSTRACT

The concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the induced sputum of 17 workers exposed to low airborne asbestos levels and of 10 controls was determined. IL-8 levels were statistically significantly increased in the asbestos exposed group compared to controls. This finding underlines the usefulness of the study of proinflammatory mediators as possible predictors of alveolar damage.