Proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 detetion in severe COPD patients: Focus on roflumilast

Abstract

Background: Progressive, incompletely reversible airflow limitation is the main characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Multiple cytokines play a role in the organization of inflammation in inflammatory airway diseases, such as COPD, through the recruitment, activation of inflammatory cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine and has been implicated to play a role in the systemic inflammation of patients with COPD. Aim: To investigate the dynamics of IL-6 in bronchoalveolar fluid during roflumilast treatment added to maintenance therapy. Materials and methods: The study included 61 patients with severe COPD. Detection of IL-6 was performed in broncho-alveolar fluid by ELISA with“StatFax 303 Plus” using reagents VECTOR–BEST. The study was perfomed prior to and during maintenance treatment with roflumilast 500 mcg, 1 time per day. Results of the study: The course of severe COPD is characterized by increased of IL-6 levels in 3 times compared to healthy individuals (p Conclusions: IL-6, like other inflammatory cytokines, has been shown to be elevated in patients with COPD. The results of a study showed that roflumilast dependently reduces IL-6 levels in BALF in patients with severe COPD. The anti-inflammatory effects of roflumilast has been demonstrated most clearly during 180-days treatment.