Serum levels of interleukin 8 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels in pulmonary chemical patients exposed to sulfur mustard

Abstract

Background: Chemical gases were one of the war instruments of Iraq against Iran that caused skin, eye, blood, heart, and kidney complications. We aimed to investigate interleukin (IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP 9) serum level in chemical lung patients of sulfur mustard and its relationship with lung complications. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 patients who were exposed to mustard gas. To determine the serum level of IL 8 and MMP-9.5 cc, blood samples were taken from subjects in a sterile condition. Then, spirometry test was performed on pulmonary patients to investigate the pulmonary function, and its effect on biomarkers was studied and their body mass index was performed before spirometry. Then, data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences 22 and descriptive and analytical tests. Results: Finding has shown that a significant difference exists in all blood factors in experimental and control groups. Correlation test did not show a significant relationship between blood factors and respiratory factors in chemical veterans. Conclusion: The present study had found a significant difference between IL 8 and MMP-9, and this requires more studies in the future.