Hydrogen peroxide in exhaled air: a source of error, a paradox and its resolution. Issue 2 (17th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peters, Stefan; Kronseder, Angelika; Karrasch, Stefan; Neff, Petra A.; Haaks, Matz; Koczulla, Andreas R.; Reinhold, Petra; Nowak, Dennis; Jörres, Rudolf A.
• Is Part Of: ERJ open research. Volume 2:Issue 2(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-06-17
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; Respiration; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Treatment; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodical; 616.2005
• DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00052-2015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2312-0541

Abstract

The concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) in exhaled air has been reported to be elevated in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but results are inconsistent and difficult to reproduce. As H2 O2 occurs in ambient air, we examined its association with exhaled H2 O2 in human subjects. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of 12 COPD patients and nine healthy control subjects was collected either with an inhalation filter (efficiency 81%) or without. Ambient air condensate (AAC) was collected in parallel and samples were analysed for H2 O2 . Additionally, ambient H2 O2 was recorded by an atmospheric measuring device (online fluorometric measurement). H2 O2 concentration in AAC was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in EBC. AAC variations were concordant with the data from the atmospheric measuring instrument. In both subjects' groups, the inhalation filter reduced H2 O2 values (p<0.01). Despite generally low levels in exhaled air, analysis by a mathematical model revealed a contribution from endogenous H2 O2 production. The low H2 O2 levels in exhaled air are explained by the reconditioning of H2 O2 -containing inhaled air in the airways. Inhaled H2 O2 may be one factor in the heterogeneity and limited reproducibility of study results. A valid determination of endogenous H2 O2 production requires inhalation filters. Use of an inhalation filter reduces variability of H2 O2 values in exhaled air and shows an endogenous production http://ow.ly/TRmj300ee8t