title: Effect of recombinant human IFNγ in the treatment of chronic pulmonary complications due to sulfur mustard intoxication.
abstract: Pulmonary problems are among the most common chronic complications of sulfur mustard (SM) intoxication and adversely affect patients' quality-of-life. The present trial investigated the impact of immunotherapy with interferon (IFN)-γ on quality-of-life, respiratory symptoms, and circulating immunologic and oxidative parameters in patients suffering from chronic SM-induced complications. Patients (n = 15) were administered IFNγ (100 μg) every other day for a period of 6 months. Assessment of quality-of-life [using St. George respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) indices], the severity and frequency of respiratory symptoms, and serum levels of immunologic [including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ, calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-9, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α], oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as total and reduced glutathione, and catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity], and fibrogenic [transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] parameters were performed at baseline and at trial end. The results indicated that IFNγ therapy is associated with improvements in SGRQ (p < 0.001) and CAT (p < 0.001) scores, decreased severity of cough (p = 0.001), dyspnea (p < 0.001), and morning dyspnea (p < 0.001), reduced frequency of sputum production (p < 0.001) and hemoptysis (p < 0.001), and elevated FEV1 (p = 0.065). Serum levels of IL-4 (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-10 (p < 0.001), CGRP (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p = 0.001), TNFα (p < 0.001), TGFβ (p < 0.001) and MDA (p = 0.001) were decreased while those of IL-2 (p < 0.001), IFNγ (p < 0.001), and both total (p = 0.005) and reduced glutathione (p = 0.061) increased by the end of the trial. It was concluded that IFNγ has favorable effects on the quality-of-life and alleviates respiratory symptoms in patients suffering from chronic SM-induced pulmonary complications. A modulation of cytokines and oxidative stress appears responsible for the clinical efficacy of IFNγ.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran .
authors.forename: Yunes
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Panahi
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghanei
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vahedi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghazvini
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvin
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Madanchi
authors.forename: Mahsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bagheri
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D009151:Mustard Gas