Transforming growth factor beta-1 level in pleural effusion.
OBJECTIVE
Transforming growth factor-beta1 is an important immunomodulator. The diagnostic role of TGF-beta1 has not been systematically investigated in pleural effusion.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study of 45 patients (23 men, 22 women; mean age 49 +/- 21 years) with pleural effusion was performed. Of these patients, 19 had malignant pleural effusion, 14 had tuberculous pleural effusion, seven had empyema/parapneumonic pleural effusion, and five had transudative pleural effusion due to congestive heart failure. The concentrations of TGF-beta1 were measured by ELISA in all pleural fluid samples and in serum samples only from patients with malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions.


RESULTS
The median TGF-beta1 levels of malignant, tuberculous and empyema/parapneumonic pleural effusions were 7.25 ng/mL, 7.81 ng/mL, and 9.75 ng/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. The median TGF-beta1 level was 5.62 ng/mL in the transudate pleural effusion group and it was significantly lower than that in the empyema/parapneumonic group (P < 0.05). The pleural fluid TGF-beta1 levels did not correlate with cell profiles of the pleural fluid. The median serum TGF-beta1 levels in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion groups were 7.38 ng/mL and 7.38 ng/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference between the levels of TGF-beta1 in paired samples of serum and pleural fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that TGF-beta1 concentrations in exudative pleural effusions are higher than those in transudative effusions secondary to congestive heart failure but TGF-beta1 concentrations do not assist in differentiating exudative effusions.
Ceyhan
Berrin Bagci
BB
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. berrinn.ceyhan@superonline.com
Demiralp
Emel
E
Karakurt
Zuha L
ZL
Karakurt
Sait
S
Sungur
Murat
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta