title: Ethnic differences in plasma levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).
abstract: Ethnic neutropenia is common in people of African descent. As interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) bind to receptors on neutrophils, ethnic differences in neutrophil counts are hypothesized to result in different plasma levels of these cytokines. A prospective study was conducted in 72 healthy young volunteers. Neutrophil counts were 60% higher in Caucasians (P<0.00001). Average IL-8 and G-CSF levels were about 50% and 70% higher in African volunteers compared with Caucasian volunteers (P=0.0008 and P=0.00005, respectively). Additionally, oxidative burst capacity in stimulated neutrophils was significantly lower in volunteers of African descent (P=0.03 between both groups). In sum, lower neutrophil counts are associated with higher levels of IL-8 and G-CSF in Africans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Florian B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: Alexander O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Spiel
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Firbas
authors.forename: Tuende
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kliegel
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jilma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor