Exhaled markers in the monitoring of airways inflammation and its response to steroid's treatment in mild persistent asthma.

The measure of inflammatory cytokines in the exhaled breath condensate has been recently proposed for use in monitoring asthma and the therapeutic response to steroids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of measuring exhaled IL-6, IL-4 and pH in mild persistent asthma. Furthermore the effects on these markers of inhaled steroids were assessed.

Supplementary oxygen in healthy subjects and those with COPD increases oxidative stress and airway inflammation.

Background: Hyperoxia increases oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species and may therefore enhance inflammation in the lungs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether short term supplementary oxygen (28%) increases oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways by measuring 8-isoprostane and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate.

Methods: Twenty three healthy subjects (12 men, mean (SD) age 48 (7) years) and 23 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 15 men, mean (SD) age 56 (5) years) were studied.

Exhaled Interleukine-6 and 8-isoprostane in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect of carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (SCMC-Lys).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an airways inflammation and by an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of our study was to assess the inflammation and the oxidative stress in airways of COPD patients with acute exacerbation of disease and in stability. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of 6 months treatment with carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (SCMC-Lys) in COPD.

Endothelin-1 is increased in the breath condensate of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Unlabelled: One recent line of cancer research is currently directed to the study of growth factors. Of increasing interest is endothelin-1 (ET-1), a mitogenic factor already investigated in several human cancer cell lines, which has been found to participate in the development and progression of tumours. This peptide has an important role also in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where ET-1 expression has been found in 100% of cell lines.

8-Isoprostane, a marker of oxidative stress, is increased in exhaled breath condensate of patients with obstructive sleep apnea after night and is reduced by continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent apnea during sleep that may compromise oxidative balance. Oxidative stress is increased in the blood and in the airways of OSA patients.

Design: The aim of this study was to investigate whether oxidative stress is determined by nocturnal apneas and could be reduced by CPAP therapy, and whether there is a relation between local and systemic oxidative stress in these patients.