The levels of pro-fibrotic cytokines in pulmonary tuberculosis with minimal and extensive lesions

Background: There are very few studies about the mechanism of fibrosis in tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in pulmonary TB patients with minimal and extensive lesions. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study design was used to observe the pulmonary TB patients with minimal and extensive lesions, and also healthy controls, each consisting of ten patients. Results: The plasma levels of TNF-α, IGF-1, and TGF-β1 in pulmonary TB groups were higher compared to the healthy controls. The TNF-α level in the minimal lesion of TB group was higher than the level in the extensive lesion but not significant (P = 0.741). The IGF-1 level in the minimal lesion of TB group was significantly (P = 0.007) increased compared to the extensive lesion. While the TGF-β1 level in the minimal lesion of TB group was significantly (P = 0.005) lower than the level in the extensive lesion. Conclusion: In extensive lesion of TB group, there are differences in the levels of TNF-α, IGF-1, and TGF-β1 compared to the minimal lesion of TB group as well as the healthy controls. The extent of lesions on chest radiograph also describes the state of ongoing pulmonary fibrosis which can be shown by the differences in the levels of pro-fibrotic cytokines.