Aging and airway inflammation

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2013 Jun;25(3):239-45. doi: 10.1007/s40520-013-0040-y. Epub 2013 May 18.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Aging / pathology*
  • Exhalation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Incidence
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / metabolism*
  • Pneumonia / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sputum / cytology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-8
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide