Aging and airway inflammation
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Updated: May 10, 2026

Mouse Model of Oleic Acid-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Published on: June 2, 2022
Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano1, Viviana Turchiarelli, Antonio Spanevello
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. ge.carpagnano@unifg.it
Background:
Since little is known of airways inflammation in the elderly, we have carried out a study to explore the presence of some inflammatory markers in the airways of healthy subjects of different ages using a non-invasive method which is particularly suitable for aged people.
Objective:
The aim of this work was to investigate whether parameters, including (1) pH, IL-8 and TNF-α in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), (2) exhaled nitric oxide levels (NO), and (3) inflammatory cell profile in induced sputum, are age-related.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty healthy adults (10 subjects below the age of 30 [A], 10 subjects between 30 and 60 years [B], and 10 subjects over 60 years of age [C]), were enrolled in the study. IL-8 and TNF-α levels were measured in breath condensate. Exhaled pH was measured after deaeration/decarbonation by means of a pH-meter. A rapid-response chemiluminescence NO analyzer was used to quantify NO. Induced sputum was collected, homogenized with dithiothreitol, and cytospins for differential cell were produced.
Results:
The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in EBC, the levels of exhaled NO, and the percentage of neutrophils in induced sputum were significantly elevated in C and B compared with A; the EBC pH level was significantly reduced in C and B compared with A. The EBC levels of IL-8, TNF-α, pH, the level of exhaled NO, and the percentage of neutrophils correlated significantly with age.
Conclusion:
This study has shown the presence of age-related airways inflammation in healthy subjects.
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