Analysis of Sputum Markers in the Evaluation of Lung Inflammation and Functional Impairment in Symptomatic Smokers and COPD Patients. Issue 2 (28th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paone, Gregorino; Conti, Vittoria; Vestri, Annarita; Leone, Alvaro; Puglisi, Giovanni; Benassi, Fulvio; Brunetti, Giuseppe; Schmid, Giovanni; Cammarella, Ilio; Terzano, Claudio
• Is Part Of: Disease markers. Volume 31:Issue 2(2011)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2013-05-28
• Subjects: Airway inflammation -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- neutrophil elastase -- human neutrophil peptides -- interleukin-8 -- likelihood ratio -- metalloproteinase-9 -- sputum -- receiver operating characteristic analysis -- smoking; Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.3233/DMA-2011-0807
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0240

Abstract

Abstract : The pivotal role of neutrophils and macrophages in smoking-related lung inflammation and COPD development is well-established. We aimed to assess whether sputum concentrations of Human Neutrophil Peptides (HNP), Neutrophil Elastase (NE), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), and Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), major products of neutrophils and macrophages, could be used to trace airway inflammation and progression towards pulmonary functional impairment characteristic of COPD. Forty-two symptomatic smokers and 42 COPD patients underwent pulmonary function tests; sputum samples were collected at enrolment, and 6 months after smoking cessation. HNP, NE, IL-8, MMP-9 levels were increased in individuals with COPD ( p < 0.0001). HNP and NE concentrations were higher in patients with severe airways obstruction, as compared to patients with mild-to-moderate COPD ( p = 0.002). A negative correlation was observed between FEV1 and HNP, NE and IL-8 levels ( p < 0.01), between FVC1 /FVC and HNP, NE and IL-8 levels ( p < 0.01), and between NE enrolment levels and FEV1 decline after 2 years ( p = 0.04). ROC analysis, to discriminate symptomatic smokers and COPD patients, showed the following AUCs: for HNP 0.92; for NE 0.81; for IL-8 0.89; for MMP-9 0.81; for HNP, IL-8 and MMP-9 considered together 0.981. The data suggest that the measurement of sputum markers may have an important role in clinical practice for monitoring COPD.