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Standardized Measurement of Nasal Membrane Transepithelial Potential Difference (NPD)
09:47

Standardized Measurement of Nasal Membrane Transepithelial Potential Difference (NPD)

Published on: September 13, 2018

Transepithelial potential difference in the bronchial system of children with chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma

E H Ballke1, S Wiersbitzky, A König

  • 1Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald, Germany.

Padiatrie Und Grenzgebiete
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Transepithelial potential difference (tpd) varied significantly in children with chronic respiratory diseases. Higher tpd in asthmatics correlated with eosinophils, suggesting their role in respiratory tract changes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Chronic non-specific respiratory diseases (CNSRD) encompass conditions like bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis in children.
  • Understanding the physiological differences between these conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transepithelial potential difference (tpd) in the tracheobronchial system of children with CNSRD.
  • To explore potential correlations between tpd measurements and specific disease characteristics, such as eosinophilia.

Main Methods:

  • Transepithelial potential difference (tpd) was measured in the tracheobronchial system of 45 children (18 with asthma, 27 with bronchitis) via bronchoscopy under general anesthesia.
  • Bronchial secretions were analyzed for eosinophil presence.

Main Results:

  • A highly significant statistical variation in tpd was observed among the children.
  • Children with asthma and significant eosinophilia in bronchial secretions exhibited a higher mean tpd (26.5 ± 8.5 mV) compared to children with bronchitis (18.2 ± 6.3 mV).

Conclusions:

  • Transepithelial potential difference (tpd) measurements show significant variation in pediatric chronic respiratory diseases.
  • The presence of eosinophils in bronchial secretions appears to be associated with altered tpd in asthmatic children, suggesting a role in the pathophysiology of respiratory tract changes.

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