Circulating interleukin-6 levels in patients with bronchial asthma.
Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined using a sensitive enzyme immunoassay in adults with asthma in stable condition during naturally occurring attacks and before and after allergen inhalation tests. IL-6 was significantly elevated even in asymptomatic asthmatic subjects (n = 17) compared with normal control subjects (n = 17). During naturally occurring asthmatic attacks, serum IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in comparison with those in a symptom-free condition (4 wk interval; n = 8, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in serum IL-6 levels obtained from control asymptomatic asthmatic subjects during the period (n = 10). There was a significant elevation in circulating IL-6 levels in eight asthmatic patients following inhalation of allergen but not methacholine. These results suggest that IL-6 is involved in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.
Yokoyama
A
A
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kohno
N
N
Fujino
S
S
Hamada
H
H
Inoue
Y
Y
Fujioka
S
S
Ishida
S
S
Hiwada
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
D000485:Allergens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016210:Methacholine Chloride