Changes of IL-6 level in bronchoalveolar fluid in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD before and after the treatment with tiotropium bromide, and its significance
Objective: To investigate the changes and significance of IL-6 level in bronchoalveolar fluid in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD before and after the treatment with tiotropium bromide. Methods: The IL-6 level in bronchoalveolar fluid of 45 COPD patients with acute exacerbation and 15 healthy people (control) were determined by using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The IL-6 level in bronchoalveolar fluid of COPD group before the treatment were significantly higher than those after the treatment with tiotropium bromide, and both were higher than those of control group. Conclusions: IL-6 contributes to the development of COPD and its continuous high level may be one of the important factors resulting in chronic airway inflammation.