Observation of the inflammatory factors level and the correlation between induced sputum and whole lung lavage fluid for silicosis

Abstract

To detect the inflammatory factors of induced sputum (IS) and whole lung lavage fluid in pneumonoconiosis patients and to explore the correlation between the inflammatory factors with pulmonary function. The records of 45 cases of pneumonoconiosis patients were observed. All patients underwent lung function examination, sputum induction and massive whole lung lavage (WLL) sequentially through advance. IS and whole lung lavage fluid were collected respectively. Inflammatory factors of the two specimens were detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation of inflammatory factors between the two specimens was analyzed. The relationship between the inflammatory factor and lung function index was observed. The statistical analysis is performed with SPSS 17.0 for Windows. P < 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. Cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-α MIP-1α, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16) were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid (P < 0.05), while TNF-α, MCP-1, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16 were no significantly associated with lung function index (P > 0.05). MIP-1α was significantly associated with FEV(1.0)/VCmax and MEF(25), respectively (P < 0.05). Inflammatory factors were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid, which could indicate early lung injury in pneumonoconiosis patients.