PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - K. Fujimoto AU - M. Yasuo AU - K. Urushibata AU - M. Hanaoka AU - T. Koizumi AU - K. Kubo TI - Airway inflammation during stable and acutely exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease AID - 10.1183/09031936.05.00047504 DP - 2005 Apr 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 640--646 VI - 25 IP - 4 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/4/640.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/4/640.full SO - Eur Respir J2005 Apr 01; 25 AB - The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of increased airway inflammation during an acute exacerbation. A total of 68 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a stable phase were enrolled and followed-up for 2–3 yrs. Inflammatory cells were analysed, and interleukin (IL)-8, neutrophil elastase, eotaxin, tryptase and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) were measured in sputum, both in a stable phase and during acute exacerbation. Out of 68 patients, 30 (unstable group) developed an acute exacerbation and expectorated adequate sputum during exacerbation. Thirty-two patients (stable group) did not develop any exacerbation for 2–3 yrs. The number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils, and the levels of IL-8, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eotaxin and tryptase in sputum obtained from patients in both groups during the stable phase were significantly higher than those from healthy nonsmokers. There were no significant differences in cell analysis and biomarkers between the two groups, but patients in the unstable group showed more severe airflow limitation. In the unstable group, total cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils, and IL-8, neutrophil elastase, ECP and RANTES levels were significantly increased during an exacerbation from values in a stable phase. These findings suggest that exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may associate with additional increases in airway inflammation mediated by neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, interleukin-8 and RANTES.