You are here:
MEASUREMENTS OF AIR POLLUTANT BIOMARKERS WITH EXHALED BREATH TECHNIQUES
Citation:
MADDEN, M. C., K. SAWYER, AND J. PLIEL. MEASUREMENTS OF AIR POLLUTANT BIOMARKERS WITH EXHALED BREATH TECHNIQUES. Presented at Breath Analysis Summit, Cleveland, OH, November 01 - 03, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
research results
Description:
Use of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has appeal as a noninvasive surrogate sample for lung-derived fluid. Additionally, EBC can be collected multiple times over the course of a study, unlike many other lung sampling techniques which can be performed fewer times. However validation of some aspects related to EBC collection and analyses remain relatively untested. Using controlled chamber exposures to diesel exhaust (DE) with healthy, adolescent human volunteers, we tested the reproducibility of some EBC biomarkers. DE concentrations were similar to a low level occupational exposure. EBC volume and total protein concentrations were similar for an individual over a period of up to 6 months. EBC generally had nondectable amounts of ten immune/inflammation cytokines tested at most time points sampled. EBC calcium concentration decreased immediately after a DE exposure, but other metals examined by ICP-OES were either not changed (relative to a clean air exposure) or nondetectable. There was no significant correlation of levels of EBC markers with levels in lung lavage fluid, although lavage could be performed at a similar time point as EBC collection only once. The bronchial wash fraction, i.e., the first saline instillation in the lung lavage, showed alterations in several cytokine levels due to the DE exposure. The bronchoalveolar lavage wash fractions did not reveal a DE-induced change in cytokine levels. These findings show that EBC collection has potential for examining pollutant-induced effects, but that use of EBC as a surrogate fluid for lung remains controversial. [This is