[Expression level and significance of TGF-beta1, PDGF, CTGF in serum of patients with pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To explore the TGF-beta1, PDGF, CTGF serum expression significance in the occurrence and development of pneumoconiosis.

Methods: The serum levels of TGF-beta1, PDGF, CTGF in 70 patients with pneumoconiosis (including 29 patients with silicosis and 41 patients with coal pneumoconiosis) and 77 healthy individuals were detected by means of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The serum levels of TGF-beta1, PDGF, CTGF in patients with pneumoconiosis were (44.95 +/- 23.72) ng/mL, (56.95 +/- 55.68) ng/mL, (346.70 +/- 259.49) pg/mL, the serum levels of control group were (6.81 +/- 4.99) ng/mL, (30.96 +/- 21.63) ng/mL, (307.49 +/- 235.40) pg/mL. There were significantly statistical differences between the case group and the control group in the serum levels of TGF-beta1 and PDGF (P < 0.05). There was no significantly statistical difference between the two groups in the serum levels of CTGF (P > 0.05). The serum levels of TGF-beta1 and PDGF in the patients with silicosis were higher than those in the patients with coal pneumoconiosis, and there was significantly statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The serum levels of TGF-beta1 and PDGF in the patients with pneumoconiosis decreased with the pneumoconiosis stage going up (P < 0.05). There was the bivariate correlation not only between the serum levels of TGF-beta1 and PDGF in the whole objects but also the serum levels of CTGF and PDGF (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The serum levels of TGF-beta1, PDGF, CTGF in the patients with pneumoconiosis may correlate with the pathological stages, styles and degree of pneumoconiosis.