Table 3
Cytokine concentrations in expectorated sputum (ES), induced sputum (SI), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
| ES | SI | BAL fluid | |
| IL-8 (ng/ml) | 18.0 (12.2) | 12.8 (7.5) | 4.0 (3.0)* |
| Urea corrected IL-8 (ng/ml) (n=8) | 13.4 (11.0) | 13.5 (7.1) | 13.9 (17.9) |
| TNFα (pg/ml) | 102 (101)* | 45 (27) | 18 (19) |
| Urea corrected TNFα (pg/ml) (n=8) | 80 (71) | 42 (42) | 43 (42) |
-
There was a difference in IL-8 concentration in SI from that in ES and BAL (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). When a dilution correction was made these differences were no longer seen. There was a difference in TNFα concentration between SI and ES (p=0.03) but this was no longer seen when corrected for dilution.
