Levels of cytokines in peripheral blood of premature infants with chronic lung disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in peripheral blood of premature infants with chronic lung disease (CLD) in order to investigate the possible role of immunologic factors in CLD. METHODS: Twenty-six premature infants who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for 28 days were classified into CLD (n=14) and non-CLD (control, n=12) groups. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α concentrations in peripheral blood were measured by multiplex technique (Bio-plex). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in peripheral blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There are no significant changes in peripheral blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in premature infants with CLD on the non-acute phase. Immunologic factors might not play a key role in CLD on the phase.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2010, 12 (11):855-857］