Effects of Low-Dose and Long-Term Treatment with Erythromycin on Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-23 in Peripheral Blood and Induced Sputum in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Main Authors: Caimei Tan (Author), Huijuan Huang (Author), Jianquan Zhang (Author), Zhiyi He (Author), Xiaoning Zhong (Author), Jing Bai (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Hindawi Limited, 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective. To study the effects of low-dose and long-term treatment with erythromycin on IL-17 and IL-23, in peripheral blood and induced sputum, in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. Patients were randomly divided into placebo-treated group, group A (12 months of additive treatment with erythromycin, N=18), and group B (6 months of additive treatment with erythromycin followed by 6 months of follow-up, N=18). Inflammatory cells in induced sputum, pulmonary function, and the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were analyzed. Concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 in peripheral blood and sputum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. After treatment, sputum and peripheral blood concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 significantly decreased in groups A and B compared with placebo-treated group. There were no significant differences after erythromycin withdrawal at months 9 and 12 in group B compared with placebo-treated group. An increase in 6MWD was observed after treatment. Conclusions. Erythromycin was beneficial and reduced airway inflammation in COPD patients. Underlying mechanisms may involve inhibition of IL-17 and IL-23 mediated airway inflammation. COPD patients treated with erythromycin for 6 months experienced improved exercise capacity. Finally, treatment for 12 months may be more effective than treatment for 6 months.

Item Description

0962-9351
1466-1861
10.1155/2016/4173962