Lipid metabolite levels of prostaglandin D2 and eicosapentaenoic acid recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid correlate with lung function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and controls.

One-step global profiling of analyte (mRNA, protein, metabolite) biomarkers may soon replace conventional blood and histological/biopsy diagnostics technologies. It is important to establish whether the numerous blood and other body fluid-derived potential novel diagnostics will be sufficiently efficacious and precise to replace, for example, imaging and functional diagnostic tests. Currently, imaging technologies and spirometry are indispensable for the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).