Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Leukotriene B4 levels in sputum from asthma patients
Andrew Higham1, Paul Cadden1, Thomas Southworth1
1Centre for Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester, NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Abstract:
Poor asthma control is associated with increased airway neutrophils. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. We examined the levels of LTB4 levels in the sputum of asthma patients and the relationship with disease severity. 47 asthma patients (categorised according to Global Initiative for Asthma treatment stage) and 12 healthy controls provided sputum samples that were processed first with PBS to obtain supernatants and secondly with dithiothreitol (DTT) to obtain supernatants. LTB4 levels were determined by ELISA. LTB4 levels were significantly higher in step 1 (steroid naïve) and step 3 (inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus long acting β-agonist) patients than step 2 patients (ICS alone) (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). There was very good correlation when comparing PBS processed to DTT processed supernatants. High LTB4 levels were found in the sputum of asthmatics at step 3 despite ICS use.
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