Specifics of cellular and humoral mechanisms of local inflammation in COPD of varying severity

112 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity were examined. The level of macrophages in bronchial secretions were found to increase in mild to moderate severity, which confirms the significant role of these cells in the early stages of COPD. A significant increase in the level of neutrophils was detected in severe and very severe COPD, which in view of literature data can affect the persistence of inflammation and the formation of irreversible bronchial obstruction. The increase of lymphocytes in the sputum, which correlates with the activity of TNF-a, was shown. The levels of IL-8 and TNF-a serum increased in all degrees of severity of COPD, which gives evidence to the continued existence of high activity of systemic inflammation in the stage of abating exacerbation. The effect of inhaled corticosteroids on the activity of cytokines in patients with COPD was confirmed.