Alpha-1 antitrypsin is elevated in exhaled breath condensate and serum in exacerbated COPD patients.
Respir Med. 2011 Aug 25;
Authors: Rembert Koczulla A, Noeske S, Herr C, Koepke J, Jörres RA, Nell C, Schmid S, Vogelmeier C, Bals R
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly contribute to COPD-related morbidity. Diagnosis of COPD exacerbations may be improved by analyzing biomarkers such as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). AAT is an acute-phase protein and inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. Deficiency of AAT may result in early-onset respiratory symptoms. Measurement of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method to investigate biomarkers present in the epithelial lining fluid, such as AAT. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether AAT can be detected and quantified in EBC and to compare AAT levels in the EBC of healthy controls, patients with COPD, and during exacerbations of COPD. METHODS: EBC from 10 healthy controls, 17 subjects with COPD, and 18 subjects with exacerbations of COPD was collected with the RTube™ device. AAT from EBC and serum were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: AAT in EBC was detectable in every individual. Patients with exacerbations of COPD had significantly increased AAT values (mean, 514.33pg/mL, [SD 279.41 ]) compared with healthy controls (mean, 251.32pg/mL, [SD 44.71]) and stable COPD patients (mean, 242.01pg/mL [SD 65.74]) (P=0.0003; P=0.00003). EBC AAT showed only a correlation trend with serum AAT (r=0.3, P=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: AAT in EBC was detectable and quantifiable. AAT measured in EBC was significantly increased during exacerbations of COPD and can potentially be used as a biomarker in exacerbations.
PMID: 21872457 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]