Soluble IL-10 levels of COPD GOLD I (mean = 8.5 ± 2.7 pg/mg tissue) and COPD GOLD II patients (mean = 7.8 ± 1.8 pg/mg tissue) were actually higher lower than patients with normal lung function (mean = 17.9 ± 3.1 pg/mg tissue, P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene IL10 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.