Open AccessBronchodilatation increases number of particles in exhaled air in subjects with asthma
Author(s) -
Olin AnnaCarin,
Viklund Emilia,
Larsson Per,
Almstrand AnnCharlotte,
Bredberg Anna,
Mirgorodskaya Ekaterina,
Bake Björn
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical and translational allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.979
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2045-7022
DOI - 10.1186/2045-7022-3-s1-p12
Subject(s) - bronchodilatation , medicine , asthma , bronchodilation , spirometry , airway , immunology , anesthesia , bronchodilator
Background Particles in exhaled air (PEx) are derived from the small airways and are formed during airway closure and re-opening. They mainly contain surfactant; both phospholipid and protein composition in PEx resemble that of BAL. Measurements of surfactant protein A in PEx from 100 l exhaled air were shown to be highly reproducible, making the PEx a promising tool in the monitoring of asthma. The number of exhaled particles varies substantially, mainly among subjects, but also within subjects. To enable a correct interpretation of the results using PEx it is crucial to examine how airway constriction affects the number of exhaled particles. Aim To examine the effect of bronchodilatation on exhaled PEx concentration. Method 16 subjects with pollen-asthma and 14 healthy non-atopic subjects (all non-smokers) were examined before and after bronchodilation during the pollen season and outside the pollen-season. PEx, spirometry, blood-samples and answers to a questionnaire were obtained. The subjects performed a breathing maneuvers allowing for airway closure and re-opening and PEx concentrations in about 60 l of exhaled air were measured with an in-house developed instrument based on particle impaction.