Eicosanoids in exhaled breath condensates in the assessment of childhood asthma.

The value of measurements of eicosanoids in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for the evaluation of childhood asthma is still inconclusive most likely because of the limited value of the methods used. In this case-control study in 48 asthmatic and 20 healthy children, we aimed to characterize the baseline profile of the inflammatory mediators cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), 9(alpha)11(beta)PGF(2), PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2alpha)) within EBC in asthmatic compared with healthy children using new methods. In addition, we investigated their relation to other inflammatory markers.

Exhaled eicosanoids following oral aspirin challenge in asthmatic patients.

Background: Biochemical analysis of expiratory breath condensate is an emerging non-invasive technique for assessment of airway inflammation.

Objective: We wondered whether application of expiratory breath condensate could facilitate diagnosis of aspirin-intolerant asthma and reproduce eicosanoids mediators' abnormalities described in this disease.

Methods: We measured prostaglandins (PGs) E(2), F(2 alpha), 9 alpha 11 beta F(2) and iso-F(2) by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry and cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) by radioimmunoassay in breath condensates of asthmatic patients undergoing oral aspirin challenge.

Aspirin intolerance and the cyclooxygenase-leukotriene pathways.

Purpose Of Review: In up to 10% of patients with bronchial asthma, aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs precipitate asthmatic attacks. This is a hallmark of a distinct clinical syndrome that develops according to a characteristic sequence of symptoms. Here we discuss its clinical picture and management as related to the abnormalities in arachidonic acid transformations.