title: Breath condensate nitrite correlates with hyperinflation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Estimating the degree of pulmonary hyperinflation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not always straight forward. Standard pulmonary function tests provide only a crude estimate of this important aspect of COPD. In addition, good patient cooperation cannot always be achieved and therefore adds to the uncertainties with regard to the extent of hyperinflation of the lung. The aim of this investigation was to characterize exhaled breath condensate nitrite in volunteers, healthy smokers, and stable COPD (GOLD-stages 0-4) and to compare this parameter with inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate and with lung function in order to test the hypothesis that elevated exhaled breath condensate nitrite reflects hyperinflation in COPD. We found a logarithmic correlation of exhaled breath condensate nitrite to residual volume (r=0.75, p<0.0001), total lung capacity (r=0.51, p<0.0001), and thoracic gas volume (r=0.71, p<0.0001) but no correlation of exhaled breath condensate nitrite concentrations with levels of inflammatory cytokines in exhaled breath condensate (interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Analysis of COPD subgroups revealed a logarithmic correlation of EBC nitrite to residual volume, total lung capacity, and intrathoracic gas volume exclusively for patients characterized by GOLD classes 2, and higher. Our results confirm a relation of exhaled breath condensate nitrite levels and hyperinflation measured by conventional pulmonary function tests. Investigations using isolated lung models and cells stretched in culture also provide insight into this relation. Exhaled breath condensate nitrite may be a biochemical indicator of pulmonary overdistension.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 32, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. ch.gessner@web.de
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Gessner
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Hammerschmidt
authors: Hartmut
authors: H
authors: Kuhn
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Hoheisel
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Gillissen
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Sack
authors: Hubert
authors: H
authors: Wirtz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D009573:Nitrites