The Potential Role of Neopterin as a Biomarker for Silicosis

Human macrophages and dendritic cells produce Neopterin derivates after stimulation with interferon-γ and serves as a marker of activated cell-mediated immune response. Aim: Assessment of serum neopterin levels in patients with different X-ray chances about silicosis. Methods: The serum neopterin concentrations were measured using ELISA in 60 patients with silicosis, according to conventional X-ray observation (ILO, 2002) and 16 healthy donors. Results: The serum neopterin levels (2,74±1.12 ng/ml) were significantly higher (р<0.0005) in comparison with the control group (1,56±0,39 ng/ml), without significant differences between serum neopterin levels in the three groups (First group-2,53±0,99 ng/ml; Second group-2,66±1,42 ng/ml and Third group-3.07±1,08 ng/ml). Conclusions: The increased serum neopterin concentration could be used as a marker for silicosis.