|
Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare serum values of interleukin 17 (IL17), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, and Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) in Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposed veterans versus the control group.
Methods : One hundred and twenty-eight SM-exposed patients and 31 healthy control subjects were included. In the case group, based on severity of ocular manifestations, patients were classified in to three subgroups, including mild (19 cases), moderate (31 cases), and severe (78 cases). Serum values of IL17, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D, were determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method, and ANA was determined using both immunoblot and indirect immuno-fluorescence techniques.
Results : All study subjects were male and age in the case and control group was 44.94 ± 8.76 years and 40.94 ± 10.14 years, respectively (mean ± SD). Except for serum level of IL-17 (p< 0.001), other values were not significantly different between study groups and between the three subgroups in the SM-exposed group.
Conclusion : Exposure to SM significantly reduced serum level of interleukin 17, yet did not influence VEGF-C; VEGF-D or ANA. Furthermore, the mentioned values were not significantly different between the three subgroups in the SM-exposed group.
|