ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Pneumologica 2017 June;56(2):84-9

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4954.17.01779-5

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Evaluation of serum levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in mustard lung patients and its relationship with pulmonary complications

Hossein RAHMANI ^{1, 2}, Iraj JAVADI ¹, Saeed SHIRALI ³ ✉

¹ Department of Toxicology, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Shahreza, Isfahan, Iran; ² Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; ³ Hyperlipidemia Research Center, Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

BACKGROUND: One of the long-term effects of the sulfur mustard (SM) is long-term lung complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the IL-6 and hs-CRP serum level in chemical lung patients with a single dose of sulfur mustard and its relationship with lung complications.
METHODS: Twenty-two chemical chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients due to sulfur mustard and 22 healthy controls were examined. IL-6 and hs-CRP serum levels were measured using the Elisa technique and its relationship with patients’ respiratory function as well as the BMI was analyzed. The data were analyzed with a SPSS software.
RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in hs-CRP and IL-6 serum levels of the case group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The Spearman Correlation Coefficient Test showed that by increasing hs-CRP serum levels the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) is reduced in patients; of course the results of Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test showed that the mean hs-CRP serum level in patients with wheezing is significantly higher. Also the results of the Pearson Correlation Coefficient Test showed that by increasing BMI, hs-CRP serum levels increases and the relationship between the two variables is statistically significant (P<0.05) but although these results had similar process for IL-6, it is not significant (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The long-term complications of sulfur mustard in patients cause systemic effects and in this process the inflammatory markers hs-CRP and IL-6 are increased. Thus it is suggested to perform the treatment not only with the purpose of local treatment of lung and airway but also by considering the inflammatory system of the patient.

KEY WORDS: Mustard gas - Lung - Interleukin-6 - C-reactive protein - Respiratory Function Tests