Clinical relevance of determination the changes on serum IL-6, IL-8, hs-CRP and IL-18 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD)

Objective: To observe the clinical significance of changes on serum IL-6, IL-8, hs-CRP and IL-18 levels after treatment in patients with COPD. Methods: Serum II-6, IL-8 (with RIA), serum hs-CRP(with immunotubidimetry) levels were measured both before and after treatment in 32 patients with COPD as well as in 35 normal controls. Results: Before treatment, the serum IL-6, IL-8, hs-CRP, IL-18 levels were significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.01). After 1 month of treatment the serum IL-6, IL-8, hs-CRP and IL-18 dropped markedly but remained higher difference than those in controls(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of serum IL-6, IL-8, hs-CRP and IL-18 were suitable to be used as a screening method. Besides, it could take part in pathogenesis of COPD in various ways and the changes of these items levels is of important values to realize pathosis and therapeutic effect. (authors)