title: Cytokine levels in the sera of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibroproliferative disorder. Cytokines contribute an important but yet undefined role to its pathogenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to compare serum levels of cytokines involved in Th-1 and Th-2 immunity, such as interleukins (IL) IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-12 (p40) in patients with IPF and healthy volunteers. Twenty patients with IPF and 40 healthy controls (HC) participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytokines were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median values of serum IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p40) were higher in the IPF than the control group: IPF group: 1.05 U/ml, 12.55, 10.13, 44.17 pg/ml; control group: 0.05 U/ml, 6.91, 0.75, 4.51 pg/ml, respectively (P<0.05). IFN-gamma serum levels were lower in the IPF (0.19 pg/ml) than in the control group (0.49 pg/ml). IL-4 values did not differ in a statistically significant way among the groups: 8.40 pg/ml in the IPF group, and 7.46 pg/ml in the control group (P>0.05). IL-4 positively correlated to fast expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1%) and forced vital capacity (FVC%), while IL-8 negatively correlated to the respective values (P<0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-2, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 (p40) were found to be elevated in the sera of patients with IPF. IFN-gamma was found to be decreased in the sera of patients with IPF.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, University of Thessaly, Universal Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa, Greece. pauletta24@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Pelagia G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Tsoutsou
authors.forename: Konstantinos I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Gourgoulianis
authors.forename: Efthymia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petinaki
authors.forename: Anastassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germenis
authors.forename: Anthousa G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Tsoutsou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mpaka
authors.forename: Smaragda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Efremidou
authors.forename: Pashalis-Adam
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Molyvdas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D044967:Serum; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines