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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
13:28
Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Interrelationship between serum and sputum inflammatory mediators in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
L Bizeto1, A B Mazzolini, M Ribeiro
1Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shows persistent airway inflammation. Neutrophils predominated in sputum, but serum inflammatory markers did not correlate with lung function impairment in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Inflammation Research
- Respiratory Diseases
Background:
- Airway inflammation is a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Limited understanding exists regarding specific inflammatory markers in COPD airways and their correlation with disease severity.
- Identifying these markers is crucial for understanding COPD pathogenesis and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and correlate pulmonary and peripheral blood inflammatory markers in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- To investigate the relationship between specific inflammatory markers and lung function parameters (e.g., FEV1) in COPD.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 22 patients with stable COPD.
- Collection of induced sputum and blood samples for analysis of C-reactive protein, eosinophilic cationic protein, serum amyloid A protein, alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha-1AT), and neutrophil elastase.
- Patients were categorized into two groups based on post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second (%FEV1): Group 1 (FEV1 <40%) and Group 2 (FEV1 ≥40%).
Main Results:
- Elevated serum levels of elastase, eosinophilic cationic protein, and alpha-1AT were observed in both COPD groups.
- Sputum cytology revealed a significantly higher proportion of neutrophils in Group 1 (more severe obstruction) compared to Group 2.
- No significant differences in eosinophils or macrophages were found between groups.
- Serum elastase showed a positive correlation with serum alpha-1AT and a negative correlation with FEV1 in Group 1.
Conclusions:
- Stable COPD patients exhibit chronic and persistent pulmonary inflammation.
- Induced sputum analysis identified a neutrophil-predominant inflammatory cell subpopulation.
- Serum concentrations of the measured inflammatory markers did not correlate with the degree of pulmonary functional impairment in this COPD cohort.
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