Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Elevated leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate from preterm-born infants
Rhea Urs1,2, Rubi Ni Chin3, Naomi Hemy3
1School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia. Rhea.Urs@telethonkids.org.au.
Insights
Very premature infants show higher airway inflammation and oxidative stress markers in exhaled breath condensate, even beyond infancy. These elevated levels, however, were not linked to bronchopulmonary dysplasia diagnosis or later respiratory issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development is linked to inflammation and oxidative stress.
- These factors may cause ongoing respiratory problems after preterm birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if inflammatory markers are elevated in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of very premature infants.
- To investigate the association between elevated markers, BPD diagnosis, and respiratory morbidity.
Main Methods:
- Collected EBC and respiratory data from preterm and term-born infants.
- Analyzed EBC for leukotriene B4 (inflammation) and 8-isoprostane (oxidative stress) using ELISAs.
- Used statistical tests to compare groups and assess associations.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants had significantly higher leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane levels in EBC compared to term infants.
- These elevated markers were not associated with BPD diagnosis or infant respiratory morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Very premature infants exhibit persistent airway inflammation and oxidative stress markers.
- These findings suggest potential long-term implications for lung health in extremely preterm infants.
Background:
Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), possibly contributing to persistent respiratory morbidity after preterm birth. We aimed to assess if inflammatory markers were elevated in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of infants born very prematurely (< 32 weeks gestation) at 12-16 corrected months of age, and if increased levels were associated with BPD diagnosis and respiratory morbidity.
Methods:
EBC samples and respiratory questionnaires were collected from 15 term-born infants and 33 preterm-born infants, 12 with a neonatal BPD diagnosis. EBC samples were analysed for leukotriene B4 (inflammation) and 8-isoprostane (oxidative stress) concentrations using enzyme-linked immune-assays. Differences between groups were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis Test with post-hoc comparisons, independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test depending on normality of the data.
Results:
Leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane levels were elevated in exhaled breath condensate of preterm-born infants compared to those born at term (mean difference [95% CI]; 1.52 [0.45, 2.59], p = 0.02; 0.77 [0.52, 1.02], p < 0.001, respectively). Leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane levels were independent of BPD diagnosis and respiratory morbidity over the first year of life.
Conclusions:
Infants born very prematurely exhibit elevated markers of airway neutrophilic inflammation and oxidative stress beyond the first year of life, regardless of a neonatal diagnosis of chronic lung disease or respiratory morbidity during infancy. These findings may have implications for future lung health.
Trial Registration:
N/A.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Breathing
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction