Abstract
Standardization of a simple and low cost technique of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collection to measure nitrite. Two devices were mounted in polystyrene boxes filled either with crushed ice/salt crystals or dry ice/crushed ice. Blood samples were stored at -70 degrees C for posterior nitrite dosages by chemiluminescence and the Griess reaction. a) The use of crushed ice/dry ice or salt revealed sufficient EBC room air collection, but was not efficient for patients under ventilation support; b) the method using crushed ice/salt collected greater EBC volumes, but the nitrite concentrations were not proportional to the volume collected; c) The EBC nitrite values were higher in the surgical group using both methods; d) In the surgical group the nasal clip use diminished the EBC nitrite concentrations in both methods. The exhaled breath condensate (EBC) methodology collection was efficient on room air breathing. Either cooling methods provided successful EBC collections showing that it is possible to diminish costs, and, amongst the two used methods, the one using crushed ice/salt crystals revealed better efficiency compared to the dry ice method.
Highlights
Until the 1980’s, invasive techniques used for lung sampling, such as bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar wash, were used as tools for complementary studies of respiratory functions and illnesses[1]
Russian studies were pioneers on non-invasive techniques to study pulmonary inflammatory markers. They described the use of exhaled air – exhaled breath condensate (EBC), of which collection and posterior condensation allowed the study of volatile molecules proceeding from bronchi and alveoli[2,3]
EBC collection and analysis were of negligent knowledge until the decade of 90 which is proven by the lack of publications (Pubmed/MEDLINE) regarding this subject
Summary
Until the 1980’s, invasive techniques used for lung sampling, such as bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar wash, were used as tools for complementary studies of respiratory functions and illnesses[1]. Russian studies were pioneers on non-invasive techniques to study pulmonary inflammatory markers. They described the use of exhaled air – exhaled breath condensate (EBC), of which collection and posterior condensation allowed the study of volatile molecules ( nitric oxide - NO) proceeding from bronchi and alveoli[2,3]. EBC collection and analysis were of negligent knowledge until the decade of 90 which is proven by the lack of publications (Pubmed/MEDLINE) regarding this subject. This world-wide technique arose through Kharitonov and Barnes studies performed in the 1990 decade[2]. EBC collection does not influence airway function, it can be repeated as many times as demanded
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