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.