The effects of inhaled budesonide on interleukin-8, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of budesonide inhaled on the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with AECOPD treated by using inhalation of budesonide in different doses or by using injection of dexamethasone. Methods Ninety AECOPD patients with mechanical ventilation in ICU ward were enrolled from Jan. 2008 through Sep. 2010. All patients were selected in this study as per the criteria of AECOPD set by the Chinese Medical Association. Ninety AECOPD patients treated with routine therapy were randomly (random number) divided into 3 groups. The patients of group A were given budesonide 2 mg inhaled 1 time/d. The patients of group B was given budesonide 4 mg inhaled 1 time/d. The patients of group C had dexamethasone 2. 5 mg injected 1 time/12h. The changes of IL-8, PCT and CRP in both BALF and serum were respectively detected in three groups at the beginning of treatment, and 3 days and 7days after treatment. The detected data of variables were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 package. Results The level of IL-8 in BALF declined in 3days and 7days after treatment, and the magnitude of decrease in the following order:Group B ( budesonide 4mg/d) ＞ Group A ( budesonide 2 mg/d) ＞ Group C ( intravenous dexamethasone)with significant differences among them ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The decrease in IL-8 in serum showed the similar trend, but there were no statistical differences among them. The CRP and PCT in both BALF and serum had no significant changes. There was a correlation between the concentration of IL-8 in BALF and the duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusions The treatment with the inhalation of budesonide could more significantly reduced the IL-8 level in BALF compared with intravenous dexamethasone, whereas the CRP and PCT were not changed. The dynamic changes of IL-8 in BALF might be used as an indicator of prognosis in AECOPD patients with mechanical ventilation. Key words: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Budesonide; IL-8; CRP; PCT