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- Title
The Effect of Inhaled Steroids on PARC/CCL18 in COPD Patients.
- Authors
Man, Julie; Yuexin Li; Man, Paul; Sin, Don
- Abstract
. Background: Pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine (PARC), also known as CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), is an indicator of lung inflammation in humans. Produced by alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells, PARC is involved in the chemotaxis of immature dendritic cells, fibroblasts, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. PARC is lung-specific; it shows high expression in lungs and low in other parts of the body. This cytokine is elevated in people with CPOD and related to accelerated lung decline. Certain steroid drugs, which are used to treat inflammation, have been shown to reduce PARC levels when given orally at high doses. We investigated the effect of inhaled fluticasone, a more commonly used steroid, on PARC levels in patients with COPD. Hypothesis: Inhaled steroids reduce serum PARC levels in COPD patients. Methods: We used serum samples from 220 patients with COPD. These patients included men and women, active smokers and ex-smokers, with a mean age of 69 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 28. The subjects were randomly sorted into three treatment groups for a 4-week period: placebo, fluticasone, or drug combination (fluticasone and salmeterol). Serum was obtained before and after treatment, and PARC concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This data was analyzed and compared to various other patient characteristics. Results: No significant difference was observed in PARC concentrations between treatment groups. There was also no difference in mean PARC levels before and after the treatment. PARC was significantly related to subject age, BMI and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation. The relationship between PARC and CRP was strongest in the active smokers. Conclusion: Treatment with an inhaled steroid over a 4-week period does not modify serum PARC concentrations of COPD patients. Serum PARC is related to CRP levels, which may indicate a link between inflammation of the lungs and systemic inflammation.
- Subjects
STEROID drugs; CHEMOKINES; LIGANDS (Biochemistry); ANTIGEN presenting cells; OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases
- Publication
UBC Medical Journal, 2011, Vol 2, Issue 2, p46
- ISSN
1920-7425
- Publication type
Abstract