title: Superoxide anion production by bronchoalveolar lavage cells in relation to cellular composition and lung function in sarcoidosis and chronic bronchitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased generation of superoxide anion (O(2)(-).) by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells has been reported in various inflammatory disorders. However, the clinical relevance of this phenomenon is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate whether production of O(2)(-). is enhanced in smoking-related chronic bronchitis and sarcoidosis, and to assess a relationship between O(2)(-). generation and lung function impairment and changes in BAL cellular pattern.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with sarcoidosis, 24 smokers with chronic bronchitis, and 17 controls were examined. A number/percentage of BAL cells was calculated. Spontaneous and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated O(2)(-). production was measured in BAL cells. Spirometry was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with smoking-related chronic bronchitis produced more O(2)(-). spontaneously (6.42 -/+1.24 vs. 15.39 -/+2.47 nmol/106 cells, P = 0.003) and after stimulation (3.73 -/+1.32 vs. 14.76 -/+2.79 nmol/106 cells; P = 0.001). PMA-stimulated excess production correlated with the percentage of neutrophils (r = 0.66, P = 0.0005). In sarcoidosis, only spontaneous production of O(2)(-). was higher (vs. 18.07 -/+2.49 nmol/106 cells, P = 0.004) and correlated with the percentage of BAL lymphocytes. There was no correlation between O(2)(-). production and lung function parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with smoking-related chronic bronchitis produce more O(2)(-)., and this phenomenon is related to BAL neutrophils. In sarcoidosis, spontaneous release of O(2)(-). from BAL cells is related to the extent of lymphocytic alveolitis. Higher O(2)(-). generation did not impair lung function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Piotrowski
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kurmanowska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antczak
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marczak
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majewski
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Górski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000503:physiopathology; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides