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Urates in exhaled breath condensate of children with obstructive sleep apnea

Vukmir Vlasic1, Jasenka Trifunovic, Ivana Cepelak

  • 1Women's & Children's Hospital, Pediatric Pulmonology, Lafayette, LA, USA.

Biochemia Medica
|December 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) show higher urate levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), suggesting local airway antioxidant synthesis. Serum urate levels did not differ, indicating EBC urates may mark oxidative stress in pediatric OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Urate levels are potential biomarkers for oxidative stress.
  • Investigating urate concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) can offer insights into airway physiology.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare urate concentrations in EBC between children with OSA and healthy children.
  • To determine if EBC urate levels can serve as a marker for oxidative stress in pediatric OSA.
  • To explore the potential local synthesis of urates within the airways of children with OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was collected from pediatric patients diagnosed with OSA and age-matched healthy controls.
  • Serum samples were also collected from all participants.
  • Urate concentrations in both EBC and serum were quantified using an enzymatic colorimetric assay.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSA exhibited significantly higher urate concentrations in their EBC compared to healthy children.
  • No significant differences in serum urate concentrations were observed between the OSA and healthy groups.
  • The findings suggest that urates may be synthesized locally within the airways of children with OSA.

Conclusions:

  • EBC urate levels, but not serum urate levels, may indicate local antioxidant compound synthesis in the airways of children with OSA.
  • EBC urates show potential as a non-invasive biomarker for oxidative stress in pediatric OSA.
  • Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings and establish definitive clinical utility.
Abstract

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