Variations of TNF-α and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome

Abstract

Objective To study the role of TNF-α and IL-8 in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome(MAS). Methods Forty-seven neonates with MAS were randomly assigned into the treatment group(n=22) and the control group(n=25) and received traditional treatment and Curosurf therapy,respectively.Another 21 full-term newborns were chosen as control.The levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured after 24 days of treatment. Results Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in neonates with MAS were significantly higher than the control group[(25.97±6.72)ng/L vs(11.94±2.83)ng/L;(18.82±4.89)ng/L vs(10.38±2.28)ng/L;P<0.01,respectively].The levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in BALF were[(66.46±12.67)ng/L and(31.17±5.67)ng/L]significantly higher than those of the serum(P<0.01,respectively).Compared with the traditional treatment group,levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in BALF at 24 h after Curosurf therapy were lower[(44.38±9.10)ng/L vs(36.97±5.88)ng/L and(26.46±5.01)ng/Lvs(21.06±3.99)ng/L,P＜0.01,respectively]Conclusions TNF-α and IL-8 may play an important role in the development of MAS.Curosurf could protect the lungs from injury by reducing the TNF-α and IL-8 levels in neonated with MAS. Key words: Meconium aspiration; Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; Tumer necrosis factor-alpha; Interleukin-8; Pulmonary surfactants