Tobacco smoking increases dramatically air concentrations of endotoxin.

We used a mass spectrometry-based assay for identifying the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) marker (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid in cigarette smoke particles and found that smoking involved inhalation of 17.4 pmol of endotoxin per each smoked cigarette. Indoor exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) entailed inhalation of 12.1 pmol of LPS/m3 air, an amount that was 120 times higher than the levels found in smoke-free indoor air. Endotoxin is one of the most potent inflammatory agents known, hence our results may help to explain the high prevalence of respiratory disorders among smokers, and they may also draw attention to a hitherto unknown or neglected risk factor of ETS

Endotoxin markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with interstitial lung diseases

Background: Exposure to inhaled endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in indoor environments and assessed in secondary tobacco smoke, has been associated with airway inflammation and asthma exacerbation. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) from patients with interstitial lung diseases (sarcoidosis, lung fibrosis, smoking-related ILD, eosinophilic disorders) was analyzed for the markers of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin). Methods: BALf was obtained from patients with diffuse lung diseases: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 42), sarcoidosis (n = 22), smoking-related-ILD (n = 11) and eosinophilic disorders (n = 8). Total cell count and differential cell count were performed. In addition, samples were analyzed for 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFAs) of 10-18 carbon chain lengths, as markers of LPS, by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The highest LPS concentration was found in patients with eosinophilic disorders and the lowest in patients with sarcoidosis (p 25%) and those with lower proportion was also significant (p = 0.014). A significant correlation was found between LPS and eosinophils, but not between LPS and lymphocytes, neutrophils, or macrophages count. Conclusions: A positive relationship of LPS and eosinophilic pulmonary disorders may be linked to a persistent eosinophil activation mediated by Th2 pathway: chronic endotoxin exposure would intensify Th2 pathway resulting in fibrosis and, at the same time, eosinophil stimulation, and hence in eosinophilic pulmonary disorders

Identification of bacterial and fungal components in tobacco and tobacco smoke

The microbiological composition of tobacco products was studied using culture and chemical analysis (of tobacco leaves) or chemical analysis only (tobacco and tobacco smoke). The chemical analyses utilized gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determining 3-hydroxy fatty acids, muramic acid, and ergosterol as markers of respectively lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan, and fungal biomass. Mesophilic bacteria dominated in both fresh and cured tobacco leaves; a range of additional bacteria and fungi were also found albeit in minor amounts. The peptidoglycan and LPS concentrations were approximately the same in tobacco leaves as in cigarette tobacco. The concentrations of the measured microbial components were much lower in some cigarettes locally produced in China, Korea, and Vietnam than in cigarettes of international brands purchased in the same countries, and the concentrations in the smoke were in general agreement with the concentrations in cigarette tobacco. No differences in microbial load in tobacco of "light" and "full flavor" cigarettes were seen. Storing cigarettes at high humidity resulted in elevated levels of fungi in the cigarette tobacco leading to increased ergosterol concentrations in the smoke. The fact that tobacco smoke is a bioaerosol may help to explain the high prevalence of respiratory disorders among smokers and non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke since the same symptoms are also commonly associated with exposure to bioaerosols

Endotoxins in Environmental and Clinical Samples Assessed by GC-Tandem MS

Bacteria appeared on the Earth millions years before us and human evolution was triggered by the constant presence of pathogenic and symbiotic microorganisms in our surroundings. Interplay occurred between higher organism and microbial consortia residing in the host organs and on the epithelial surfaces; another natural space of bacteria human interaction is the indoor environment where we spend the majority of our lifetime. Indoor microbial exposure affects our well-being and can result in respiratory symptoms, such as allergies and asthma, since both dead and live microorganisms and their cell constituents, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxins), interact with our immune system. Thus, there is a demand for robust tools for qualitative and quantitative determination of the microbial communities that we are exposed to. This work described the reproducible approach of the Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxins assessment by their specific chemical markers, 3-hydroxy fatty acids. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proved to be an excellent means for specific and selective detection of bacteria/endotoxin markers in the complex matrices like indoor bioaerosol and clinical samples: blood, saliva or feces. Using this method, epidemiological studies were conducted in the field of indoor air quality research, as well as in clinical investigations when bacterial consortia were involved: in Crohn's disease, periodontitis, and newborn gut microbial colonisation in association with allergy development

Bacterial and fungal markers in tobacco smoke.

Previous research has demonstrated that cigarette smoke contains bacterial and fungal components including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ergosterol. In the present study we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze tobacco as well as mainstream and second hand smoke for 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) of 10 to 18 carbon chain lengths, used as LPS markers, and ergosterol, used as a marker of fungal biomass. The air concentrations of LPS were 0.0017nmol/m(3) (N=5) and 0.0007/m(3) (N=6) in the smoking vs. non-smoking rooms (p=0.0559) of the studied private houses, and 0.0231nmol/m(3) (N=5) vs. 0.0006nmol/m(3) (N=5) (p=0.0173), respectively, at the worksite. The air concentrations of ergosterol were also significantly higher in rooms with ongoing smoking than in rooms without smoking. A positive correlation was found between LPS and ergosterol in rooms with smoking but not in rooms without smoking. 3-OH C14:0 was the main 3-OH FA, followed by 3-OH C12:0, both in mainstream and second hand smoke and in phenol:water smoke extracts prepared in order to purify the LPS. The Limulus activity of the phenolic phase of tobacco was 3900endotoxin units (EU)/cigarette; the corresponding amount of the smoke, collected on filters from 8 puffs, was 4EU/cigarette. Tobacco smoking has been associated with a range of inflammatory airway conditions including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, alveolar hypersensitivity etc. Significant levels of LPS and ergosterol were identified in tobacco smoke and these observations support the hypothesis that microbial components of tobacco smoke contribute to inflammation and airway disease

Characterization of the microbial community in indoor environments by chemical marker analysis: an update and critical evaluation.

We published recently an integrated procedure for applying chemical marker analysis to characterize the microbiology of indoor environments comprising a scheme for extraction and analysis of markers of endotoxin, peptidoglycan/bacterial biomass, and fungal biomass. In the present paper, we report some significant improvements and also new possibilities of the described approach. We found that while 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) of 10-14 carbon chain lengths are useful endotoxin markers, longer 3-OH FAs (i.e. with 16 carbon atoms and more) may rather serve as markers of Actinobacteria. We introduced C-13-labeled 3-hydroxytridecanoic acid, from labeled Pectinatus cerevisiiphilus, as an internal standard to improve quantification of the 3-OH FAs in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Finally, in experiments aiming to identify a suitable method for collection of house dust for chemical marker analysis, we found that the marker compositions of dusts sedimented on plexiglass plates that were spatially well-distributed in a studied room at different heights above floor level, were undistinguishable. This type of sampling thus appears to be well suited for use, e.g. in epidemiological studies. In summary, the presented work describes important new capabilities of chemical marker analysis in defining human exposure to microorganisms in indoor environments

Limitations in the use of 3-hydroxy fatty acid analysis to determine endotoxin in mammalian samples

3-Hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) of 10-18-carbon chain lengths are constituents of the lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria. These acids are used as chemical markers for determining endotoxin in environmental samples. The present communication addresses the question whether this type of analysis also would be applicable to mammalian samples. Low levels (6.1 +/- 1.6-94.0 +/- 23.2 pmol/ml) of the studied 3-OH FAs were detected in blood from both conventional and germ-fine rats. The levels were considerably higher (0.0-1.06 +/- 0.17 nmol/mg) in livers. The amounts of the 3-OH FAs did not differ between the two groups of rats. All analyses were made by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MSMS) for unequivocal identification. The results illustrate a limitation in using 3-OH FA analysis to determine endotoxin in mammalian samples since these acids may represent not only endotoxin but also products from mammalian mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Routine clinical laboratory tests correspond to increased serum levels of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, markers of endotoxins, in cardiosurgery patients

Introduction: Endotoxemia developing during cardiosurgery as elevated endotoxin concentrations in patient's serum may prevail over 24 h after operation. A major reason is thought to be increased gut permeability resulting in endotoxin and bacterial leakage. In this study we aimed to measure endotoxin levels on samples obtained during and after cardiovascular procedures and compare them with clinical observations and laboratory test results. Materials and Methods: 3-Hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) of 10-18 carbon chain length, chemical markers of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), were determined in patient sera by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based analysis. Results were compared with routine laboratory tests: blood morphology, urine, ALT, AST, bilirubin, kidney parameters, clotting parameters, and gasometry. Results: Of a total of 16 patients, 5 patients (group I) showed increased serum 3-OH FA levels and 11 patients (group II) did not show any change in 3-OH FA levels 24 h after operation. All group I patients revealed leukocytosis, two developed post-operative anemia. Significantly different changes were observed: the initial, pre-operative 3-OH FA levels were similar for both groups, while group I patients showed increased levels of all the studied 3-OH FAs during the operation (p <= 0.05), and 3-OH C14 and 3-OH C16 remained elevated 24 h after the operation. Conclusions: Cardiosurgery may strongly promote gut endotoxin translocation to the blood in some patients. Prolonged leukocytosis, deep anemia, and increased liver dysfunction markers may indicate the need for observation of possible endotoxemia development. It is recommended to monitor the endotoxin level and/or endotoxemia markers in cardiosurgery patients