CYTOKINE PATTERN IN SERA an‎d BRONCHO-ALVEOLAR LAVAGE SIX MONTHS AFTER SINGLE EXPOSURE TO SULFUR MUSTARD

Background: Cytokines play a major role in both acute and chronic inflammatory processes, including those produced by Sulfur Mustard. This study describes the cytokine level six months after exposure to a single dose of sulfur mustard, defined by IL-1b, IL-6, IL-9, IL-12, TGFb and TNF-a. Methods: The cytokine levels of Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL) and sera of twenty male rats exposed to sulfur mustard were measured and compared with the control group. The rats in the test group were exposed to a single dose of sulphur mustard (inhalation) and left for up to 6 months. After six months the animals were anesthetised, blood samples were obtained from their heart using 5-mL syringes and serum was kept at -20°C. Their BAL was collected by lavage. BAL fluid was centrifuged and left at -20°C until assay. Cytokine assay was performed employing the ELISA Method (Bender Med Systems). Results: The results showed significant differences (p<0.001) between the control and exposed groups in terms of all cytokine (IL-9, YIFN, TGFβ, IL-6, IL-1b, IL-12 and TNFα) productions in both the BAL fluid and serum. The most noticeable increase in cytokine release was seen in IL-9, which was 615.93% and 321.88% for the BAL fluid and serum, respectively (p<0.001). After IL-9 the highest increase was demonstrated for TGF-b and IL-6 in the BAL fluid which was 200.85% and 125.50% respectively. Conclusions: From data presented here, it is possible to suggest that overproduction of IL-6, IL-9 and TGFb might be involved in the late outcome of lung injury after six months exposure to sulfur mustard.