Evaluation of relationship between the serum levels of inflammatory mediators and ocular injuries induced by sulfur mustard: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study

Ocular damages induced by sulfur mustard (SM) are the important problems in exposed patients. The damaging mechanisms are not clearly understood. In the present study the relationship between the serum levels of inflammatory mediators and ocular injuries induced by SM was evaluated.Bulbar conjunctiva and limbal tissue abnormalities were significantly more frequent in the expose versus control group (P = 0.004 and 0.048 respectively). The serum levels of IL-1α and TNF-α in the exposed group with and without Slit lamp findings were significantly lower than their counterpart in the control group. The serum levels of IL-1β in the exposed group with Slit lamp findings were significantly lower than their counterpart in the control group. The serum levels of IL-1β in the controls with Slit lamp findings were significantly higher than the controls without Slit lamp findings. The serum levels of IL-1Ra and MMP-9 in the exposed group with and without Slit lamp findings do not display any significant differences as compared to the similar controls. The serum levels of IL-6 in the exposed group with or without Slit lamp findings were significantly lower than their counterpart in the control group (P = 0.048 and 0.008 respectively). The serum titers of the CRP and RF in the exposed group without Slit lamp findings were significantly elevated versus their counterpart in the control group (P = 0.004 and 0.011 respectively). The serum levels of these inflammatory cytokines except for IL-1Ra and MMP-9, decreased in SM exposed subject independent of ocular problems. More local studies on the eyes are needed to clarify the exact role of this cytokines in ocular problems of chemical.