Selected growth factors and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate serum concentrations of selected growth factors and the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in 21 females treated for SLE. The control group consisted of 24 healthy women. Based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), patients were allocated to a subgroup of 11 subjects (HRCT-negative) and a subgroup of 10 with pulmonary abnormalities (HRCT-positive). In HRCT-negative patients a significantly higher level of TNF-α as compared to the control was observed and positive correlation between TNF-α and bFGF was revealed in this subroup and in the total group of patients. DLCO was below the predicted value in 13 patients. No correlations between DLCO and growth factors concentrations were observed. DLCO reduction in asymptomatic, in respect to the respiratory system, SLE patients suggests a need for longterm monitoring of this parameter. The role of TNF-α in these patients requires further investigations.