Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of cytokines and inflammatory species in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods Thirty AECOPD patients admitted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine from March 2015 to August 2016 (smokers and passive smokers) and 21 healthy volunteers (non-smokers) were recruited in this prospective study. General information and EBC were collected from each subject. The concentrations of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-10, and 8-isoprestane (8-iso-PG) in EBC were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, meanwhile lung function test was performed in the AECOPD patients. Results Both IL-17 (ng/L) and 8-iso-PG (ng/L) levels increased significantly in the AECOPD patients before and after treatment compared with the healthy controls (10.74±1.02 and 5.65±0.88 vs. 3.36±0.61, 12.35±2.25 and 9.65±1.22 vs. 6.93±1.15, P<0.05). However, IL-10 level significantly decreased in the AECOPD patients before and after treatment compared with the healthy controls (1.68±0.17 and 2.59±0.31 vs. 2.85±0.43, P<0.05). Both IL-17 and 8-iso-PG levels in the AECOPD patients were significantly lower after treatment than those before treatment (5.65±0.88 vs. 10.74±1.02, 9.65±1.22 vs. 12.35±2.25, P<0.05), but IL-10 level were significantly higher aftertreatment than those before treatment (2.59±0.31 vs. 1.68±0.17, P<0.05). FEV1, FVC, and FEV1%pred improved significantly after treatment (P<0.01). FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred were not significantly correlated with IL-17, IL-10 or 8-is-PG levels. Conclusion IL-17, IL-10 and 8-iso-PG may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD, and may be important biomarkers in monitoring airway inflammation and oxide stress during the treatment of AECOPD patients.
ObjectiveTo monitor the airway inflammatory factors in exhaled breath condensate(EBC) of severe stable COPD patients during salmeterol/fluticasone (50/500μg, bid) treatment, and explore their clinical significance. MethodsTwenty-four sever stable COPD patients and 18 healthy controls were included in the study. EBC was collected from COPD patients before treatment (day 0) and 14 days, 28 days, 90 days after treatment. Meanwhile lung function test and SGRQ score were measured.Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by liquid chip and 8-isoprostane by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsLevels of 8-isoprostane, IL-6 and IL-10 in EBC were significantly higher in the sever stable COPD patients before treatment compared with the healthy controls. 8-isoprostane was decreased significantly at day 14 compared with day 0[(11.59±4.12) pg/mL vs. (14.17±4.66) pg/mL, P < 0.05], and kept in low level till day 90 (P > 0.05). IL-6 was significantly decreased at day 28 compared with day 0[(1.46±0.19) pg/mL vs. (1.59±0.19) pg/mL, P < 0.05], but did not change significantly till day 90. IL-10 was in low level but showed increase at day 90 compared with day 28[(1.72±0.19) pg/mL vs. (1.62±0.12) pg/mL, P < 0.05]. FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were improved and SGRQ score was decreased after 90 days treatment (P < 0.05). FEV1 was not correlated with 8-isoprostane, IL-6 or IL-10 level. ConclusionsDynamic observation of EBC 8-isoprostane level in severe COPD patients can help in evaluating drug efficacy. IL-10 may play a role in airway anti-inflammation.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of collecting exhaled breath condensate ( EBC)fromartificially ventilated patients with modified EcoScreen condenser. Methods ①In vitro test with lung simulator: the modified EcoScreen condenser was connected to lung simulator and mechanically ventilated for 60 min through three different types of connected tube as follows: dry ventilator pipe disconnected to humidifier, connected to the unheated humidifier, and connected to heated humidifier.Meanwhile, the changes of the peak pressure of inspiration ( PI) and tidal volume ( VT ) were observed. The volume of condensate was measured at last. ②In vivo test from artificially ventilated patients: 10 patients were artificially ventilated and their EBCs were collected with the modified EcoScreen condenser through dry pipe disconnected to humidifier for 20 min. The changes of PI, VT , respiratory frequency( f) , heart rate( HR) , mean arterial blood pressure ( MAP) , and blood oxygen saturation ( SpO2 ) were observed. Results ①In vitro test with lung simulator: At the end of the ventilating through the dry pipe disconnected to humidifier for 60 min,2. 2 mL condensate wascollected. Neither the change of PI or VT nor the obstruction of the collecting tube by iced condensate were observed. The ventilating through dry pipe connected to unheated humidifier had to stop at 50 min as the obstruction of the collecting tube caused by ice. 5 mL condensate was collected. It was observed that VTdecreased and PI increased. After ventilation through dry pipe connected to heated humidifier for 60 min,10. 5 mL condensate was collected while PI slightly increased and VT decreased. ② In vivo test from artificially ventilated patients: After ventilation through dry pipe disconnected to humidifier for 20 min, 2 mL EBC was collected without significance changes in PI, VT, f, HR, MAP, and SpO2 . Conclusions The modified EcoScreen condenser can be favourably applied to artificially ventilated patients for collecting EBC.It is recommended to performfor 20 min through the pipe disconnected to humidifier to obtain sufficient EBC without condensate dilution and airway obstruction. It is warranted more attention to the clinical and mechanical monitoring in this procedure.
ObjectiveTo detect the concentration of 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PG) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of patients with or at risk for ARDS in ventilation, and investigate its clinical significance.MethodsFifty-five patients with or at risk for ARDS in ventilation admitted between February 2014 and June 2016 were recruited as an experimental group, and simultaneous 30 normal cases were recruited as a control group. Their EBC was collected with EcoScreen condenser. The EBC 8-iso-PG level of the patients between different grades of ARDS (mild, moderate, and sever) or at risk for ARDS was compared, and the correlation of EBC 8-iso-PG with the clinical indicators was analyzed.ResultsThe 8-iso-PG levels in EBC and serum of the patients with or at risk for ARDS in ventilation were higher than those in the control group [EBC: (44.83±11.58) ng/L vs. (19.47±4.06) ng/L; serum: (481.53±444.94) ng/L vs. (19.91±17.60) ng/L] (all P<0.05). The EBC 8-iso-PG of the patients with moderate ARDS (n=15) and severe ARDS (n=7) [(47.18±11.68) ng/L and (50.29±11.06) ng/L] was higher than those with mild ARDS (n=7) or at risk for ARDS (n=26) [(33.04±7.62) ng/L) and (37.17±11.08) ng/L] (all P<0.05). However EBC 8-iso-PG was not different between the patients with mild ARDS and those at risk for ARDS (P>0.05 ). The increased EBC 8-iso-PG could predict ARDS with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.73. The EBC 8-iso-PG of the patients with or at risk for ARDS was correlated with lung injury score (r=0.418, P<0.01), PaO2/FiO2 (r=–0.378, P<0.05), chest radiograph scores (r=0.410, P<0.05), AaDO2 (r=0.368, P<0.05), and APACHEⅡ score (r=0.718, P<0.05).ConclusionEBC 8-iso-PG can reflect the oxidative stress in lung of ARDS patients in ventilation, and can contribute to the diagnosis and evaluation for moderate and severe ARDS.
Objective To explore clinical significance of interleukin-8 (IL-8), clarada protein 16 (CC16), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and serum samples collected from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods A total of 45 ARDS patients were assigned into a mild ARDS group (n=20), a moderate ARDS group (n=15) and a severe ARDS group (n=10) based on the Berlin definition. During the same study period, 45 healthy subjects were recruited as control. Serum and EBC levels of IL-8, CC16 and ICAM-1 were detected on the first and fifth day of admission. Results Compared with the control group, serum and EBC IL-8, CC16 and ICAM-1 were significantly higher in the ARDS groups (P<0.05). Serum and EBC IL-8 levels increased with the severity of ARDS, whereas no significant difference was detected between the three groups (P>0.05). Compared with the mild group and the moderate group, serum and EBC CC16 levels were significantly higher in the severe ARDS group. At the first day after admission, serum ICAM-1 was higher in the severe and moderate ARDS groups than that in the mild ARDS group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, EBC ICAM-1 was significantly different between the three groups (P<0.05). At the fifth day after admission, different EBC ICAM-1 was identified between the severe ARDS group and the other two groups (P<0.05). Regardless of ARDS severity, there were no significant differences in serum and EBC IL-8 and CC16 levels at the first and fifth days after admission (P>0.05). However, serum and EBC ICAM-1 at the first and fifth days showed significant difference (except in the mild ARDS group) (P<0.05). The levels of ICAM-1 in serum and EBC of death group were significantly higher than those of survival group (P<0.05). Conclusion Serum and EBC IL-8, CC16 and ICAM-1 are of significance in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of ARDS.
Objective To invesitgate the relationship between 8-isoprostane ( 8-iso-PG) level in exhaled breath condensates ( EBCs) and severity of asthma and explore the role of 8-iso-PG in asthma evaluation and monitoring. Methods Fifty-nine patients with asthma were enrolled. In which 15 cases were acute exacerbation, 13 cases were mild intermittent, 15 cases were mild persistent, and 16 cases were moderate-to-severe persistent. Thirteen healthy volunteers were recruited as control. EBCs were collected using EcoScreen system. The 8-iso-PG levels in EBCs were measured by a specific enzyme immunoassay.The patients with mild intermittent asthma were treated with inhaled corticosteroid ( ICS) for one month and their EBCs were recollected for 8-iso-PG measurement. Results Exhaled 8-iso-PG levels were obviously increased in the patients with acute asthma compared with those chronic asthmatics [ ( 47. 2 ±6. 8) pg/mL vs ( 24. 5 ±12. 0) pg/mL, P lt; 0. 01] . In the chronic persistent asthma, the levels were significantly higher in patients with mild persistent and moderate-to-severe asthma [ ( 17. 9 ±1. 2) pg/mL and ( 39. 7 ±4. 0) pg/mL,P lt; 0. 01] . While 8-iso-PG level did not differ significantly in intermittent asthma [ ( 13. 5 ±1. 1) pg/mL]compared with the control subjects ( P gt; 0. 05 ) . After one-month ICS treatment the 8-iso-PG level in the patients with mild intermittent asthma did not change significantly although the ACT score improved. Conclusions 8-iso-PG levels in EBC are associated with the severity of asthma, implicating 8-iso-PG may be useful in monitoring airway oxidative stress in asthma. ICS treatment is incapable of decreasing the 8-iso-PG, suggesting the ICS has minor impact on oxidative stress.
0bjective To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux(GER)in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)and to explore the influence of GER on the acidity of airway and pulmonary ventilation function in AECOPD patients．Methods Sixty-five hospitalized AECOPD patients and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study．According to “GER survey”questionnaire，AECOPD patients were allocated into GER group and non-GER group and expired breath condensate(EBC)pH and pulmonary ventilation function were detected．Breath condensate samples were collected using a specially designed condensing chamber(EcoScreen，Germany)．Results About 30.8％ (20／65)AECOPD patients were complicated with GER．EBC pH was lowest in GER group，middle in non-GER group and highest in the control group[6.oo±0.75 VS 6.76±0.77 and 7.97±0.12，both Plt;0.05)．The pulmonary ventilation function(FEV1、FEV1％pred)in AECOPD patients with GER were lower than those without GER(both Plt;0.05)．Conclusions There iS a high prevalence of GER in AECOPD patients．And the airway pH is reduced in AECOPD patients，especially when complicated with GER，which may play an important role in the development of COPD．
Objective To observe the level of vascular endothelium growth factor A( VEGF-A) in exhaled breath condensate ( EBC) of patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ALI/ARDS) , and investigate its clinical significance. Methods EBC of 23 patients with ALI/ARDS by mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit ( ICU) were collected with improved EcoScreen condenser. EBC of 17 normal control subjects were collected with EcoScreen condensor. The level of VEGF-A was measured by ELISA in EBC and serum. The levels of VEGF-A in EBC of patients with different grades of lung injuries were compared, and the correlation was analyzed between the level of VEGF-A and clinical indicators. Results The level of VEGF-A in EBC was lower in the patients with ALI/ARDS than that of control subjects [ ( 49. 88 ±6. 32) ng/L vs. ( 56. 50 ±6. 323) ng/L, P lt;0. 01] , the level of VEGF-A was higher in the ALI patients than that of ARDS patients [ ( 53. 56 ±5. 56) ng/L vs. ( 45. 86 ±4. 45) ng/L, P lt;0. 01] ,and higher in the survival patients than that of the died patients [ ( 51. 92 ±6. 28) ng/L vs. ( 46. 05 ± 4. 58) ng/L, P lt;0. 05] . The level of VEGF-A in EBC was negatively correlated with lung injury score and A-aDO2 /PaO2 ( r = - 0. 426 and - 0. 510, respectively, P lt;0. 05) , and positively correlated with PaO2 /FiO2 and PaO2 ( r =0. 626 and 0. 655, respectively, P lt; 0. 05) . The level of VEGF-A in serum was not different between the ALI/ARDS patients and the control subjects, between the ALI and ARDS patients, or between the survival and the died patients ( all P gt;0. 05) . The level of VEGF-A in serumhad no correlation with lung injury score, A-aDO2 /PaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , or PaO2 ( all P gt;0. 05) . Conclusion The changes of VEGF-A in EBC of patients with ALI/ARDSmay serve as an indicator for severity and prognosis evaluation.
Objective To explore the correlation between the levels of nitrite / nitrate( NO2 /NO3) in exhaled breath condensate ( EBC) and pulmonary infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods The clinical data from ventilated patients in critical care units of Peking University People’s Hospital from November 2006 to August 2007 were collected and analyzed. The patients’clinical pulmonary index score ( CPIS) were calculated. EBC of those patients were collected via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy cannula,and the concentrations of NO2 /NO3 were assayed. The level of NO2 /NO3 in different CPIS patients in 24 hours’ventilation, weaning proportion in 3 days and mortality in different NO2 /NO3 level patients were compared. The correlation of the CPIS and level of NO2 /NO3 were explored between survival and non-survival patients. Results A total of 76 patients were enroled. The NO2 /NO3 levels in patients of CPIS≤3, CPIS 3-6 and CPIS gt;6 in 24 hours of ventilation were ( 23. 31 ±5. 79) , ( 28. 72 ±9. 10) and ( 35. 42 ±12. 10) μmol / L respectively, with significantly differences between each other ( P lt; 0. 01) . The lower the patients’concentration of NO2 /NO3 was, the earlier the weaning and the lower the mortality were. The NO2 /NO3 levels on 4th and 7th day were detected in 24 survival patients and 23 non-survival patients. The difference of NO2 /NO3 levels between the survival patients and non-survival patients became significant on 7th day [ ( 29. 32 ±9. 52) μmol / L vs. ( 37. 22 ±12. 03) μmol / L, P lt; 0. 01] . Linear correlation analysis showed that the NO2 /NO3 level was positively correlated with CPIS ( r = 0. 76, P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusions The NO2 /NO3 level of EBC in ventilated patients is positively correlated to the severity of pulmonary infection, thus may be used as a new predictor for weaning and prognosis.