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- Title
Airway inflammation in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux-related asthma.
- Authors
Carpagnano, G. E.; Resta, O.; Ventura, M. T.; Amoruso, A. C.; Di Gioia, G.; Giliberti, T.; Refolo, L.; Foschino-Barbaro, M. P.
- Abstract
Study objectives. Asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) are both characterized by airway inflammation. Design. The purposes of this work were (i) to study airway inflammation in patients troubled by gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) and GER associated with asthma, (ii) to ascertain whether GER can aggravate asthma by exacerbating the pre-existing airway inflammation and oxidative stress and (iii) to establish the validity of analysing breath condensate and induced sputum when studying the airways of subjects affected by GER. Patient s and methods. We enrolled 14 patients affected by mild asthma associated with GER (40 ±12 years), nine with mild but persistent asthma (39 ± 13 years), eight with GER (35 ± 11 years) and 17 healthy subjects (37 ± 9 years). Sputum cell counts and concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were measured in breath condensate and supernatant. Measurements and results. GER-related asthma is characterized by an eosinophilic inflammation, as determined by elevated concentrations of IL-4 in breath condensate and sputum supernatant, and by sputum cell analysis. GER alone presents a neutrophilic pattern of inflammation when determined by elevated concentrations of IL-6 in sputum cell analysis. A concomitant increase has been found in 8-isoprostane in GER associated (or not associated) with asthma. Conclusions. We conclude that GER is characterized by a neutrophilic airway inflammation and by increased oxidative stress. GER does not however aggravate pre-existing airway inflammation in asthma patients. Determinations of inflammatory and oxidant markers in the breath condensate of subjects with GER reflect these measured in the induced sputum.
- Subjects
ASTHMA; GASTROESOPHAGEAL reflux; ESOPHAGUS diseases; INFLAMMATION; OXIDATIVE stress; RESPIRATORY allergy; SPUTUM; NEUTROPHILS; OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases
- Publication
Journal of Internal Medicine, 2006, Vol 259, Issue 3, p323
- ISSN
0954-6820
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2796.2005.01611.x