title: Cysteinyl leukotrienes in exhaled breath  condensate of smoking asthmatics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are among important inflammatory mediators in asthma pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to determine leukotriene D₄ (LTD₄) and leukotriene E₄ (LTE₄) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in asthmatics and to evaluate the effect of smoking upon CysLTs levels and to speculate the importance of adding leukotriene receptor antagonists in smoking asthmatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 88 participants were included in the study. Of them, 59 were asthmatics; 30 of the 59 asthmatics were smokers (Group I) and the others were non-smokers (Group II). As a control group (Group III), 29 healthy non-smokers were enrolled. EBC samples were collected (EcoScreen, Jaeger, Hoechberg, Germany) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in each case, and an asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) was completed by the asthmatics. LTD₄ and LTE₄ levels in EBC samples were analyzed by using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LTD₄ levels were found to be higher in Group I than other groups and similar in Group II and Group III. LTE₄ levels were lower in Group III than other groups and similar in Group I and Group II. PFTs were different between Group I and Group III and there was a significant negative correlation between LTE₄ levels and forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity ratio in Group I.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LTD₄, but not LTE₄, concentrations in EBC were higher in asthmatic smokers than asthmatic nonsmokers. LTE₄ concentrations in EBC were higher in asthmatics than healthy non-smokers. In smoking asthmatics usage of agents that block the effects of LTD₄ can be beneficial; however, new clinical studies are required.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doruk
authors.forename: Handan Inonu
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Koseoglu
authors.forename: Semsettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celikel
authors.forename: Unal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Erkorkmaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests; D003545:Cysteine / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017998:Leukotriene D4 / Q000032:analysis*; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000378:metabolism; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene; C112381:cysteinyl-leukotriene; D017998:Leukotriene D4; D003545:Cysteine; C083169:leukotriene D4 receptor