OBJECTIVE

Increased levels of 8-isoprostane were found in various human lung diseases suggesting 8-isoprostane as a marker of pulmonary oxidative stress in vivo. The exact role in pediatric lung diseases has not been defined yet. The goal of this study was to clarify the role of 8-isoprostane in nasally exhaled breath condensate as possible marker of oxidative stress in children with different lung diseases.

METHODS

Levels of 8-isoprostane were measured in nasally exhaled breath condensate of 29 cystic fibrosis patients, 19 children with a history of wheezing episodes, 8 infants with acute respiratory tract infection and 53 healthy subjects using a specific enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Levels of 8-isoprostane did neither discriminate between different disease groups nor correlate with lung function in cystic fibrosis patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of 8-isoprostane in nasally exhaled breath condensate do not reflect oxidative stress in children with different lung diseases.