Analysis of TH1 and TH2 cytokines in exhaled breath condensate of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

MAZZEI, A; TATEOSIAN, NANCY; MAFFIA, P; COEHE WILSON, C; CHULUYAN, E

Taormina, Italia

Congreso; American College of Chest Physicians; 2005

American College of Chest Physicians

A characteristic aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are exacerbations which contribute to the patients morbility and mortality. A variety of non-infectious or infections stimuli can induce an exacerbation. These agents induce an inflammatory and immune response that lead to increased bronchial tone, edema and mucus production. We and others have shown that measurement of inflammatory mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) increased during COPD acute exacerbations that resolves with treatment. However, it is not known whether Th1/Th2 cytokines could be a useful tool to monitor exacerbations of COPD. The aim of the present study was to investigate Th1 and Th2 cytokines in EBC of exacerbated COPD patients. Our results showed no significant changes in cytokine concentration in EBC three months after admittance to hospital. However, two different  groups of patients could be identified based on the pattern of cytokine.