Elevated plasma adiponectin levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that may play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between adiponectin, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-8 and C-reactive protein (CRP) and COPD by evaluating these biomarkers in ever-smokers with or without the disease. METHOD: Plasma levels of adiponectin, IL-6, IL-8 and CRP were measured using commercially available kits in COPD patients (n = 71), healthy ever-smokers (n = 62) and non-smokers (n = 51). RESULTS: There were significant increases in plasma adiponectin, IL-6 and CRP in COPD patients (median [IQR] 4.39 μg/ml [2.68-6.98], 4.19 pg/ml [<2.40-6.40], 8.75 mg/l [4.26-40.63], respectively) compared to healthy ever-smokers (1.90 μg/ml [0.86-2.86], <2.40 pg/ml [<2.40-2.77], 3.71 mg/l [1.97-10.37 mg/l], respectively, P < 0.001) and non-smokers (1.76 μg/ml [1.34-2.52], <2.40 pg/ml [<2.40-2.78], 3.12 mg/l [2.11-5.71], respectively, P < 0.001). COPD patients had lower plasma IL-8 levels than healthy ever-smokers. Among ever-smokers with or without COPD, plasma adiponectin, IL-6 and CRP levels were inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (% predicted) after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking status and pack-years. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that in COPD patients, adiponectin might be associated with COPD pathogenesis. © 2010 The Union.postprin

The interleukin-5 messenger RNA expression in a patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

Interleukin-5 has a specific role in various eosinophilic activities. It is the predominant cytokine produces by activated T-lymphocytes isolated from patients with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. We studied a young patient suffering from idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome who presented with Horner's syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and skin ulcers. The IL-5 gene expression by CD4+ T-lymphocytes and the peripheral eosinophil count were raised. The skin ulcers continued to deteriorate despite a swift reduction of the IL-5 gene expression and peripheral eosinophil count following systemic corticosteroid treatment. We suggest that peripheral eosinophilia may not be responsible for the damage in skin lesions and more aggressive treatment may be required.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Elevated interleukin-2 receptor level in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and the changes following anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a marker of T-lymphocyte activation. We have undertaken a study to examine the serum sIL-2R levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and the changes following anti-TB chemotherapy. Forty four patients with pulmonary TB or tuberculous pleural effusion were recruited. Serum was collected from the patients before and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months after initiation of anti-TB chemotherapy. Serum sIL-2R level was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. The mean sIL-2R level before treatment was 1,452±103 (SEM) U·ml-1, which was significantly higher than that of healthy control subjects (374±30 U·ml-1). There was no significant change in the sIL-2R level at 1 month, but there was a gradual reduction from the second month onwards. At the sixth month the mean sIL-2R level was 1080±81 U·ml-1, which was significantly lower than that before treatment. However, despite clinical improvement, the sIL,2R levels at the sixth month were still significantly higher than those of control subjects. We conclude that sIL-2R levels were elevated in patients with pulmonary TB and there was a gradual reduction following anti-TB chemotherapy. However, the sIL-2R levels were still higher than control subjects at completion of treatment, suggesting a delayed resolution of the inflammation in patients with pulmonary TB.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Analysis of TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms in Hong Kong Chinese patients with asthma

Background: The C-509T polymorphism of TGF-β1 gene has been associated with asthma and atopy in white populations. Objective: We investigated the association between asthma and previously identified polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C of the TGF-β1 gene among 250 Chinese patients with asthma and 308 healthy controls in Hong Kong. Methods: Genotyping was performed on peripheral blood genomic DNA by using PCR-RFLP. Results: There were no differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles between patients and controls. The C-509T and T869C polymorphisms were in tight linkage disequilibrium (P < .01). Among atopic subjects, significant differences were found in genotype and allele frequencies for T869C polymorphism between patients and controls (P = .014 and P = .019, respectively), and individuals bearing the CC genotype were associated with increased risk for the development of asthma (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.17-5.66; P = .018) after adjusting for age, sex, and smoking status. Individuals with asthma bearing the CT genotype of the C-509T polymorphism had significantly increased risk for severe airflow obstruction compared with individuals who had mild obstruction (odds ratio, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.06-15.08; P = .035). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C of the TGF- β1 gene are associated with asthma susceptibility in atopic subjects of the Hong Kong Chinese population, and the C-509T polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of airflow obstruction. © 2005 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Interleukin-5 messenger RNA expression in peripheral blood CD4 + cells in asthma

Background: IL-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma through its regulatory role on eosinophil survival, proliferation, and effector function. Objective: The study was designed to investigate the relationships between IL-5 messenger RNA expression in circulating CD4 + cells and serum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a marker of eosinophil activation and disease activity in asthma. Methods: IL-5 gene expression was assessed semiquantitatively in ex-vivo stimulate CD4 + cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and serum ECP concentration measured from venous blood samples collected from patients with acute severe asthma before the commencement of systemic steroid therapy (day 1) and on day 7 and from patients with stable and healthy volunteers. Results IL-5 gene expression was significantly higher in patients with acute asthma before steroid treatment than in those with stable disease and healthy subjects (p<0.0001). Similar results were obtained with serum ECP levels; levels in patients with acute asthma were highest (20.30 ± 5.31 μg/L), followed by levels in patients with stable asthma (2.76 ± 0.65 2mg/L) and levels in normal control subjects (1.37 ± 0.06 μg/L; p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Significant falls in both IL-5 expression and serum ECP level were seen on day 7 (p < 0.001) and coincided with a significant improvement in peak expiratory flow (p < 0001). Significant correlations were observed between IL-5 expressions and ECP level (p = 0.39, p <0.01), IL-5 expression and peak expiratory flow (p = -0.55, p < 0.0002), and peak expiratory flow and ECP level (p = -0.32, p < 0.04). Conclusions: Our data therefore support an important regulatory role of IL-5 on eosinophil function in human asthma in vivo.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

The burden of lung disease in Hong Kong: A report from the Hong Kong Thoracic Society

Background and objective: The burden of lung disease in Hong Kong is not known. This study determined the mortality and hospitalization rates of respiratory diseases in Hong Kong in 2005, their trend in the past decade and their incidence/prevalence. Methods: Mortality data were obtained from the Department of Health and hospitalization data from the Hospital Authority, Hong Kong. Incidence/prevalence data were obtained from local registries or local studies. Trends of mortality and hospitalization rates of various respiratory diseases from 1997 and 2005 were calculated after age standardization and were tested for significance using negative binomial regression analysis. Age standardized mortality rates in Hong Kong were compared with those of the UK and globally. Results: Respiratory disease was the most common cause of mortality and hospitalization in Hong Kong in 2005. Globally and in the UK, cardiovascular disease ranked first in mortality. Respiratory infections ranked first in respiratory mortality, followed by respiratory tract cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease. Respiratory infections also ranked first followed by chronic obstructive lung disease in the utilization of respiratory inpatient bed-days. While mortality rates from all respiratory diseases decreased in the past decade, hospitalization rates remained unchanged. Unlike other respiratory diseases, mortality from respiratory infections have increased since 2001. Smoking is the most important risk factor in non-communicable respiratory diseases. Conclusions: Respiratory disease is responsible for the highest health-care burden locally. Increased efforts in improving management and prevention of these diseases, including tobacco control, improving air quality and vaccination against influenza and pneumococci, are necessary. © 2008 The Authors.link_to_subscribed_fulltex