Serum KL-6, a novel mucin-like glycoprotein, as an indicator of interstitial pneumonitis following lobectomy.
Serum KL-6 has been shown to be a useful marker of active interstitial pneumonitis in patients who have not undergone lobectomy. Considering that KL-6 is produced mainly in the distal airway epithelium, the present study was conducted to determine whether resected lung volume influenced the postoperative KL-6 levels, and also to evaluate whether it is a useful parameter in patients who have undergone lobectomy. The serum KL-6 levels decreased by 36% 1 week after lobectomy, but returned to the preoperative levels by 2 months postoperatively. Although the KL-6 levels increased by 100% 3 to 4 months after lobectomy, the levels were significantly lower than those in interstitial pneumonitis (P < 0.05). The decrease in the KL-6 levels correlated with the number of resected lung segments, but not with the changes in white blood cell count, lactate dehydrogenase level, or C-reactive protein level. In comparison with the lobectomy patients, the serum KL-6 levels decreased by half in patients who had undergone partial resection (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the serum KL-6 level may be a useful indicator of interstitial pneumonitis after lobectomy. Serum KL-6 levels are influenced by the volume of the resected lung, and probably also by the upregulation of KL-6 production.
Sakuma
T
T
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, Japan.
Takahashi
K
K
Ohya
N
N
Usuda
K
K
Handa
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins / Q000097:blood*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D013908:Thoracotomy
D000941:Antigens; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; C060192:MUC1 protein, human; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase