Objective: To obtain new insights into the behavior of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and released from alveolar macrophages (AM) in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and reveal the relationship 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-smoking subjects and 21 patients with COPD. According to the 95% confidence limits of IL-6 in BALF from non-smoking subjects, the patients were divided into 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 group.
Results: The concentration of IL-6 released by AM was much higher in the second group than in the first one. Between the two groups, significant differences were found in pulmonary function.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that the concentration of IL-6 released by AM may be related with pulmonary function, and IL-6 may play a role in the development of emphysema in patients with COPD.