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Updated: May 31, 2026
13:28
Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Exhaled air molecular profiling in relation to inflammatory subtype and activity in COPD
N Fens1, S B de Nijs, S Peters
1Depts of Respiratory Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, NL 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The European Respiratory Journal
|June 25, 2011
Summary
Exhaled breath analysis using metabolomics can identify inflammatory subtypes in mild to moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This non-invasive technique shows promise for assessing airway inflammation and guiding treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Respiratory Diseases
Background:
- Eosinophilic inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) predicts response to inhaled corticosteroids.
- Current methods for assessing airway inflammation can be invasive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if exhaled breath metabolomics can differentiate inflammatory subtypes in mild and moderate COPD.
- To correlate breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and electronic nose (eNose) profiles with sputum inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and eNose were used to analyze exhaled compounds in 28 COPD patients (GOLD stages I/II).
- Induced sputum was analyzed for differential cell counts, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO).
- Statistical analysis included correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Exhaled compounds strongly correlated with sputum eosinophil and neutrophil counts (p < 0.01).
- Breathprints showed significant associations with inflammatory markers (ECP, MPO) in GOLD stage I COPD (p < 0.01).
- eNose demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting inflammatory activity in mild COPD (AUC 1.00 for ECP, 0.96 for MPO).
Conclusions:
- Exhaled molecular profiles are closely linked to the type and activation status of inflammatory cells in mild to moderate COPD.
- Breath analysis holds potential as a non-invasive tool for assessing and monitoring airway inflammation in COPD patients.
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