BGFA, Research Institute of Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
BMC Pulm Med. 2009 Nov 30;9:48. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-9-48.
The collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a suitable and non-invasive method for evaluation of airway inflammation. Several studies indicate that the composition of the condensate and the recovery of biomarkers are affected by physical characteristics of the condensing device and collecting circumstances. Additionally, there is an apparent influence of the condensing temperature, and often the level of detection of the assay is a limiting factor. The ECoScreen2 device is a new, partly single-use disposable system designed for studying different lung compartments.
EBC samples were collected from 16 healthy non-smokers by using the two commercially available devices ECoScreen2 and ECoScreen at a controlled temperature of -20 degrees C. EBC volume, pH, NOx, LTB4, PGE2, 8-isoprostane and cys-LTs were determined.
EBC collected with ECoScreen2 was less acidic compared to ECoScreen. ECoScreen2 was superior concerning condensate volume and detection of biomarkers, as more samples were above the detection limit (LTB4 and PGE2) or showed higher concentrations (8-isoprostane). However, NOx was detected only in EBC sampled by ECoScreen.
ECoScreen2 in combination with mediator specific enzyme immunoassays may be suitable for measurement of different biomarkers. Using this equipment, patterns of markers can be assessed that are likely to reflect the complex pathophysiological processes in inflammatory respiratory disease.
呼出气冷凝液（EBC）的收集是评估气道炎症的一种合适且非侵入性的方法。多项研究表明，冷凝物的组成和生物标志物的回收率受到冷凝装置的物理特性和收集环境的影响。此外，冷凝温度也有明显的影响，而通常检测的水平是一个限制因素。ECoScreen2 装置是一种新的、部分一次性使用的、专为研究不同肺区而设计的系统。
通过使用两种市售的 ECoScreen2 和 ECoScreen 设备，在控制温度为-20°C 的条件下，从 16 名健康不吸烟者中收集 EBC 样本。测定 EBC 体积、pH 值、NOx、LTB4、PGE2、8-异前列腺素和 cys-LTs。
与 ECoScreen 相比，用 ECoScreen2 收集的 EBC 酸度较低。ECoScreen2 在冷凝液体积和生物标志物检测方面更具优势，因为更多的样本超过了检测限（LTB4 和 PGE2）或显示出更高的浓度（8-异前列腺素）。然而，只有用 ECoScreen 采集的 EBC 中才检测到 NOx。
ECoScreen2 结合介质特异性酶免疫测定可能适用于测量不同的生物标志物。使用该设备，可以评估可能反映炎症性呼吸疾病复杂病理生理过程的标志物模式。
