Interleukin-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with COPD

Objective To obtain new insights into the behavior of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and released from alveolar macrophag es ( AM) in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and reveal the r elationship 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-smok ing subjects and 21 patients with COPD. According to the 95% confidence lim its of IL-6 in BALF from non-smoking subjects, the patients were divided in to two groups: those who were within the limits were assigned to the first group, and those who were above the limits were assigned to the second grou p. Results The concentration of IL-6 released by AM was much higher in the sec ond group than in the first one. Between the two groups, significant differ ences were found in pulmonary function. Conclusion Our results suggest that the concentration of IL-6 released by A M may be related with pulmonary function, and IL-6 may play a role in the d evelopment of emphysema in patients with COPD.