RESUMO
Objective To explore the relationship between the endogenous plasma cortisol and the airway remodeling associated cytokines which was infected respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through measuring the levels of them.Methods Forty-two infants diagnosed as acute RSV infection were divided into two groups,severe group(21 cases) and mild group(21 cases),as well as 21 healthy infants for control group.The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF- β 1) were determined by ELISA,the levels of plasma cortisol were determined by radio immunoaasay.Results The levels of plasma cortisol in severe group [(236.25 ± 119.87)μg/L] were significantly higher than those in mild group [(130.62 ±73.04)μg/L] and control group [(56.35 ±34.52)μg/L],there were significant differences (P ＜0.05),and the mild group was significandy higher than the control group(P＜ 0.05).The levels of TIMP-1 and TGF- β 1 in severe group were significantly higher than those in mild group(P＜ 0.05),and the mild group was significantly higher than the control group (P ＜ 0.05 ); the ratio of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in severe group was significantly lower than that in control group (P ＜0.05);the levels of MMP-9 in severe group were significantly higher than those in mild group (P ＜0.05).The levels of lymphocytes,eosinophilic cells and CD4+,CD8+ in severe group were significantly lower than those in mild group (P＜0.05),and significantly lowerthan those in control group (P ＜ 0.05 ).The levels of eosinophilic cells and CD8+ in mild group were significantly lower than those in control group(P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion The infection of RSV results in the imbalance of the airway remodeling associated cytokines,which is a danger factor,and the imbalance may be related to the increased level of the plasma cortisol.