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Aging and airway inflammation

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Abstract

Background

Since little is known of airways inflammation in the elderly, we have carried out a study to explore the presence of some inflammatory markers in the airways of healthy subjects of different ages using a non-invasive method which is particularly suitable for aged people.

Objective

The aim of this work was to investigate whether parameters, including (1) pH, IL-8 and TNF-α in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), (2) exhaled nitric oxide levels (NO), and (3) inflammatory cell profile in induced sputum, are age-related.

Materials and methods

Thirty healthy adults (10 subjects below the age of 30 [A], 10 subjects between 30 and 60 years [B], and 10 subjects over 60 years of age [C]), were enrolled in the study. IL-8 and TNF-α levels were measured in breath condensate. Exhaled pH was measured after deaeration/decarbonation by means of a pH-meter. A rapid-response chemiluminescence NO analyzer was used to quantify NO. Induced sputum was collected, homogenized with dithiothreitol, and cytospins for differential cell were produced.

Results

The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in EBC, the levels of exhaled NO, and the percentage of neutrophils in induced sputum were significantly elevated in C and B compared with A; the EBC pH level was significantly reduced in C and B compared with A. The EBC levels of IL-8, TNF-α, pH, the level of exhaled NO, and the percentage of neutrophils correlated significantly with age.

Conclusion

This study has shown the presence of age-related airways inflammation in healthy subjects.

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Abbreviations

CRP:

C-reactive protein

EBC:

Exhaled breath condensate

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

FEV1/FVC:

FEV1/FVC ratio

NO:

Nitric oxide

BMI:

Body mass index

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

    Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano, Grazia Pia Palladino & Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro

  2. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy

    Viviana Turchiarelli

  3. Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Care and Research Institute, Tradate, VA, Italy

    Antonio Spanevello

  4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Antonio Spanevello

Authors
  1. Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano
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  2. Viviana Turchiarelli
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  3. Antonio Spanevello
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  4. Grazia Pia Palladino
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  5. Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro
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Correspondence to Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano.

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Carpagnano, G.E., Turchiarelli, V., Spanevello, A. et al. Aging and airway inflammation. Aging Clin Exp Res 25, 239–245 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0040-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0040-y

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