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Hydrogen peroxide in breath condensate during a common cold
R Q Jöbsis1, S L Schellekens, A Fakkel-Kroesbergen
1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mediators of Inflammation
|January 31, 2002
Summary
Exhaled hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels are higher during a common cold and normalize within two weeks of recovery. This finding suggests colds can affect H2O2 measurements in respiratory studies.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in exhaled breath is elevated in lower respiratory tract inflammatory conditions.
- The impact of common viral colds on exhaled H2O2 levels remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of exhaled H2O2 in individuals experiencing a common cold.
- To determine if H2O2 levels change during and after a viral cold infection.
Main Methods:
- Exhaled breath condensate H2O2 was measured in 20 healthy subjects with acute common cold symptoms and again after 2 weeks of recovery.
- A control group of 10 non-infected subjects was also monitored over a 2-week period.
- H2O2 was quantified using a fluorimetric assay.
Main Results:
- Exhaled H2O2 levels were significantly higher during the common cold (median 0.20 microM) compared to post-recovery levels (median 0.09 microM, p = 0.006).
- Lung function tests (FVC, FEV1) showed no significant changes during or after the cold.
- Control subjects exhibited no significant changes in exhaled H2O2 over the 2-week study period.
Conclusions:
- Exhaled H2O2 is elevated during a common cold in healthy individuals.
- H2O2 levels return to baseline within two weeks of cold symptom resolution.
- Common colds can act as a confounding factor in research utilizing exhaled H2O2 as a biomarker for chronic lower airway inflammation.