title: DNA concentration and length in sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis during inhalation with recombinant human DNase.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical benefit of the administration of aerosolised recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) on pulmonary function in patients with cystic fibrosis has already been demonstrated but the biochemical action of rhDNase on DNA in bronchial secretions in vivo has not yet been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sputum was collected from 135 patients with cystic fibrosis before and during treatment with aerosolised rhDNase and examined to ascertain DNA concentration and length by colorimetric assay and densitometry of gel separated DNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with rhDNase reduced the concentration and the size of extracellular DNA in the sputum. The median interquartile range of DNA length decreased from 0.5-2.6 kbp before treatment to 0.3-1.0 kbp during treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  rhDNase was delivered to the secretions and was enzymatically active in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum Kinderheilkunde, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Breitenstein
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von der Hardt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tümmler
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003720:Densitometry; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004247:DNA; C085693:DNASE1 protein, human; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I