Serum Levels of Interleukin-8 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha in Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis: One-year Follow-up Study

摘要

Objectives: Various cytokines induced by inhalation of coal dust may mediate inflammation and lead to tissue damage or fibrosis, such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Methods: To investigate the relevance of serum cytokines in CWP, the levels of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as {CWP} biomarkers in 110 retired coal miners (22 controls and 88 {CWP} subjects) were related to cross sectional findings and 1-year progressive changes of the pneumoconiosis. Progressive changes of {CWP} were evaluated by paired comparison of chest radiographs. Analysis by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed the biomarker potential of each cytokine. Results: The mean serum IL-8 level was significantly higher in {CWP} compared to controls and IL-8 levels correlated with the degree of CWP. The median serum TNF-α level was significantly higher in subjects with progressive {CWP} compared to subjects without {CWP} progression. The area under the {ROC} curve for IL-8 (0.70) and TNF-α (0.72) for {CWP} identification and progression, respectively, indicated the biomarker potential of the two cytokines. Serum cutoff values of IL-8 and TNF-α were 11.63 pg/ml (sensitivity 69%; specificity 64%) and 4.52 pg/ml (sensitivity 67%; specificity 79%), respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that high levels of serum IL-8 are associated with the presence of {CWP} and those of serum TNF-α are associated with the progression of CWP.