[Expression of IL-8, SP-A and TGF-beta1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8), surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods: Thirty neonates with BPD and 30 gestational age-, gender-, and birth weight-matched neonates without BPD (control group) were enrolled from December 2007 to October 2009. Non-brochoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The levels of IL-8, SP-A and TGF-beta1 in BALF were measured using ELISA.

Results: The levels of TGF beta1 (47+/-15 microg/mL vs 34+/-13 microg/mL) and IL-8 (54+/-16 microg/mL vs 28+/-13 microg/mL) in the BPD group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). In contrast, the contents of SP-A in the BPD group were significantly lower than those in the control group (35+/-16 microg/mL vs 42+/-14 microg/mL;P<0.05).

Conclusions: The increased expression of TGF-beta1 and IL-8 in BALF may be involved in abnormal lung development and maturation in neonates with BPD. The low expression of SP-A in the BPD group suggests that the exogenous SP-A administration may be an option for the treatment of BPD.