Analysis of the sputum and inflammatory alterations of the airways in patients with common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis

INTRODUCTION: Common variable immunodeficiency is characterized by defective antibody production and recurrent pulmonary infections. Intravenous immunoglobulin is the treatment of choice, but the effects of Intravenous immunoglobulin on pulmonary defense mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the impact of intravenous immunoglobulin on the physical properties of the sputum and on inflammatory alterations in the airways of patients with Common variable immunodeficiency associated with bronchiectasis. METHOD: The present study analyzed sputum physical properties, exhaled NO, inflammatory cells in the sputum, and IG titers in 7 patients with Common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis with secretion, immediately before and 15 days after Intravenous immunoglobulin. A group of 6 patients with Common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis but no sputum was also studied for comparison of the basal IgG level and blood count. The 13 patients were young (age=36±17 years) and comprised predominantly of females (n=11). RESULTS: Patients with secretion presented significantly decreased IgG and IgM levels. Intravenous immunoglobulin was associated with a significant decrease in exhaled NO (54.7 vs. 40.1 ppb,

Analysis of the Sputum and Inflammatory Alterations of the Airways in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Bronchiectasis

INTRODUCTION: Common variable immunodeficiency is characterized by defective antibody production and recurrent pulmonary infections. Intravenous immunoglobulin is the treatment of choice, but the effects of Intravenous immunoglobulin on pulmonary defense mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the impact of intravenous immunoglobulin on the physical properties of the sputum and on inflammatory alterations in the airways of patients with Common variable immunodeficiency associated with bronchiectasis. METHOD: The present study analyzed sputum physical properties, exhaled NO, inflammatory cells in the sputum, and IG titers in 7 patients with Common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis with secretion, immediately before and 15 days after Intravenous immunoglobulin. A group of 6 patients with Common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis but no sputum was also studied for comparison of the basal IgG level and blood count. The 13 patients were young (age=36±17 years) and comprised predominantly of females (n=11). RESULTS: Patients with secretion presented significantly decreased IgG and IgM levels. Intravenous immunoglobulin was associated with a significant decrease in exhaled NO (54.7 vs. 40.1 ppb, p<0.05), sputum inflammatory cell counts (28.7 vs. 14.6 cells/mm³, p<0.05), and a significant increase in respiratory mucus transportability by cough (42.5 vs. 65.0 mm, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that immunoglobulin administration in Common variable immunodeficiency patients results in significant improvement in indexes of inflammation of the airways with improvement in the transportability of the respiratory mucus by cough

Infraestrutura verde para monitorar e minimizar os impactos da poluição atmosférica

RESUMO O Material Particulado (MP) está entre os principais contaminantes do ar. A Infraestrutura Verde (IV) vem sendo reconhecida como alternativa para melhorar a qualidade do ar. As árvores podem afetar diretamente os níveis de MP, interceptando partículas em sua superfície. Devido a essa capacidade, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo contribuir com informações sobre a viabilidade da vegetação verde para interceptar e identificar as principais fontes de poluentes atmosféricos. Amostras de cascas de árvores de parques urbanos de São Paulo (SP) foram utilizadas como monitor biológico de poluentes atmosféricos. Foi observado um decaimento exponencial das concentrações e aprisionamento de poluentes em direção à região mais interna dos parques. Além disso, foi possível distinguir a emissão de veículos leves das emissões de veículos pesados. O baixo custo do monitoramento e sua eficácia mostram que a IV ocupa papel de destaque na melhoria da saúde e a qualidade de vida das pessoas, bem como nas ações que buscam atenuar os efeitos da poluição do ar em cidades de médio e grande porte

Evaluación de los niveles de citocinas y de la función pulmonar de pacientes sometidos a la cirugía cardíaca con circulación extracorpórea

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A Síndrome da Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica é uma ocorrência habitual em cirurgias cardíacas com circulação extracorpórea (CEC). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis sistêmicos e pulmonares de citocinas e a correlação com a função pulmonar em pacientes submetidos à revascularização miocárdica (RM) com CEC. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi aprovado pela Comissão de Ética institucional, com a avaliação de 13 pacientes submetidos à RM com CEC. Após a indução anestésica, ao término da CEC, realizaram-se dosagens plasmáticas e no lavado broncoalveolar de IL-1&#946;, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 e TNF-&#945;. Foram avaliados o tempo de CEC e de cirurgia, a relação PaO2/FiO2, o gradiente alvéolo-arterial de oxigênio (GA-aO2), o shunt e a complacência pulmonares. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância para medidas repetidas (*p < 0,05) e coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se aumento dos níveis de citocinas no plasma e no lavado broncoalveolar após a CEC e relação direta entre o aumento da IL-1&#946; e a diminuição da complacência pulmonar (p = 0,0439), assim como relação inversa entre o aumento da IL-10 e a redução da complacência (p = 0,0325). O aumento da IL-6 teve relação direta com o tempo de CEC (p = 0,012), enquanto o aumento da IL-8 teve relação direta com o tempo de cirurgia (p < 0,0001). Os níveis de IL-1&#946;, IL-8 e TNF-&#945; foram maiores no LBA em relação ao plasma. CONCLUSÕES: Ocorre aumento dos níveis de citocinas no plasma e lavado broncoalveolar após a CEC e há correlação entre o aumento dos níveis de citocinas e o tempo de CEC e de cirurgia e as alterações na complacência pulmonar.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is commonly observed in coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the systemic and pulmonary levels of cytokines and their correlation with lung function in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization (MR) with CB. METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and 13 patients undergoing MR with CB were evaluated. After anesthetic induction and at the end of CB, plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage levels of IL-1&#946;, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-&#945; were determined. The dur ation of CB and surgery, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-a gradient), shunt, and lung compliance were evaluated. Results were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measurements (*p < 0.05) and Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: We observed increased levels of cytokines in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage after CB and a direct relationship between the increase in IL-1&#946; and decrease in lung compliance (p = 0.0439), as well as the inverse relationship between the increase in IL-10 and a decrease in compliance (p = 0.0325). The increase in IL-6 was directly related to the duration of CB (p = 0.012), while the increase in IL-8 was directly related to the duration of surgery (p < 0.0001). Levels of interleukin-1&#946;, IL-8, and TNF-&#945; in bronchoalveolar lavage were higher than in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in cytokine levels in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage after CB, as well as a correlation between increased cytokine levels and CB duration and surgery and changes in lung compliance.JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El Síndrome de la Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica es algo habitual en las cirugías cardíacas con circulación extracorpórea (CEC). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los niveles sistémicos y pulmonares de citocinas y la correlación con la función pulmonar en los pacientes sometidos a la revascularización miocárdica (RM) con CEC. MÉTODOS: El estudio fue aprobado por la Comisión de Ética Institucional, con la evaluación de 13 pacientes sometidos a la RM con CEC. Después de la inducción anestésica al término de la CEC, se realizaron dosificaciones plasmáticas y también en el lavado broncoalveolar de IL-1&#946;, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 y TNF-&#945;. Se evaluaron el tiempo de CEC y de cirugía, la relación PaO2/FiO2, el gradiente alvéolo-arterial de oxígeno (GA-aO2), el shunt y la complacencia pulmonares. Los resultados fueron sometidos al análisis de variancia para medidas repetidas (*p < 0,05) y al coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Se observó un aumento en los niveles de citocinas en el plasma y en el lavado broncoalveolar después de la CEC y una relación directa entre el aumento de la IL-1&#946; y la disminución de la complacencia pulmonar (p = 0,0439), como también una relación inversa entre el aumento de la IL-10 y la reducción de la complacencia (p = 0,0325). El aumento de la IL-6 tuvo una relación directa con el tiempo de CEC (p = 0,012), mientras que el aumento de la IL-8 tuvo una relación directa con el tiempo de cirugía (p < 0,0001). Los niveles de IL-1&#946;, IL-8 y TNF-&#945; fueron mayores en el LBA con relación al plasma. CONCLUSIONES: Ocurre un aumento de los niveles de citocinas en el plasma y en el lavado broncoalveolar después de la CEC, con una correlación entre el aumento de los niveles de citocinas y el tiempo de CEC y de cirugía, y las alteraciones en la complacencia pulmonar.Fapes

Evaluation of Cytokine Levels and Pulmonary Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

SummaryBackground and objectivesSystemic inflammatory response syndrome is commonly observed in coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the systemic and pulmonary levels of cytokines and their correlation with lung function in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization (MR) with CB.MethodsThis study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and 13 patients undergoing MR with CB were evaluated. After anesthetic induction and at the end of CB, plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were determined. The dur ation of CB and surgery, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-a gradient), shunt, and lung compliance were evaluated. Results were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measurements (*p < 0.05) and Spearman's correlation coefficient.ResultsWe observed increased levels of cytokines in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage after CB and a direct relationship between the increase in IL-1β and decrease in lung compliance (p = 0.0439), as well as the inverse relationship between the increase in IL-10 and a decrease in compliance (p = 0.0325). The increase in IL-6 was directly related to the duration of CB (p = 0.012), while the increase in IL-8 was directly related to the duration of surgery (p < 0.0001). Levels of interleukin-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage were higher than in plasma.ConclusionsThere is an increase in cytokine levels in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage after CB, as well as a correlation between increased cytokine levels and CB duration and surgery and changes in lung compliance

Cholinergic Hyperresponsiveness of Peripheral Lung Parenchyma in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Up to 60% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) patients can present airway hyperresponsiveness. However, it is not known whether the peripheral lung tissue also shows an exaggerated response to agonists in COPD. Objectives: To investigate the in vitro mechanical behavior and the structural and inflammatory changes of peripheral lung tissue in COPD patients and compare to nonsmoking controls. Methods: We measured resistance and elastance at baseline and after acetylcholine (ACh) challenge of lung strips obtained from 10 COPD patients and 10 control subjects. We also assessed the alveolar tissue density of neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells and CD8+ and CD4+ cells, as well as the content of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and elastic and collagen fibers. We further investigated whether changes in in vitro parenchymal mechanics correlated to structural and inflammatory parameters and to in vivo pulmonary function. Results: Values of resistance after ACh treatment and the percent increase in tissue resistance (%R) were higher in the COPD group (p <= 0.03). There was a higher density of macrophages and CD8+ cells (p < 0.05) and a lower elastic content (p = 0.003) in the COPD group. We observed a positive correlation between %R and eosinophil and CD8+ cell density (r = 0.608, p = 0.002, and r = 0.581, p = 0.001, respectively) and a negative correlation between %R and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (r = -0.451, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The cholinergic responsiveness of parenchymal lung strips is increased in COPD patients and seems to be related to alveolar tissue eosinophilic and CD8 lymphocytic inflammation and to the degree of airway obstruction on the pulmonary function test. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, BaselFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Laboratorios de Investigacao Medica do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo[LIM05-HC-FM-USP

Impact of Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Respiratory Mucociliary Function in an Experimental Porcine Model

<div><p>Background</p><p>The impact of cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the respiratory mucociliary function is unknown. This study evaluated the effects of CPB and interruption of mechanical ventilation on the respiratory mucociliary system.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Twenty-two pigs were randomly assigned to the control (n = 10) or CPB group (n = 12). After the induction of anesthesia, a tracheostomy was performed, and tracheal tissue samples were excised (T0) from both groups. All animals underwent thoracotomy. In the CPB group, an aorto-bicaval CPB was installed and maintained for 90 minutes. During the CPB, mechanical ventilation was interrupted, and the tracheal tube was disconnected. A second tracheal tissue sample was obtained 180 minutes after the tracheostomy (T180). Mucus samples were collected from the trachea using a bronchoscope at T0, T90 and T180. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and <i>in situ</i> mucociliary transport (MCT) were studied in <i>ex vivo</i> tracheal epithelium. Mucus viscosity (MV) was assessed using a cone-plate viscometer. Qualitative tracheal histological analysis was performed at T180 tissue samples.</p><p>Results</p><p>CBF decreased in the CPB group (13.1 ± 1.9 Hz vs. 11.1 ± 2.1 Hz, p < 0.05) but not in the control group (13.1 ± 1 Hz vs. 13 ± 2.9 Hz). At T90, viscosity was increased in the CPB group compared to the control (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in <i>in situ</i> MCT. Tracheal histology in the CPB group showed areas of ciliated epithelium loss, submucosal edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>CPB acutely contributed to alterations in tracheal mucocilliary function.</p></div

Effect of pre- and postnatal exposure to urban air pollution on myocardial lipid peroxidation levels in adult mice

Exposure to air pollution can elicit cardiovascular health effects. Children and unborn fetuses appear to be particularly vulnerable. However, the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular damage are poorly understood. It has been suggested that the oxidative stress generated by air pollution exposure triggers tissue injury. To investigate whether prenatal exposure can enhance oxidative stress in myocardium of adult animals, mice were placed in a clean chamber (CC, filtered urban air) and in a polluted chamber (PC, Sao Paulo city) during the gestational period and/or for 3 mo after birth, according to 4 protocols: control group-prenatal and postnatal life in CC; prenatal group-prenatal in PC and postnatal life in CC; postnatal group-prenatal in CC and postnatal life in PC; and pre-post group-prenatal and postnatal life in PC. As an indicator of oxidative stress, levels of lipid peroxidation in hearts were measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) quantification and by quantification of the myocardial immunoreactivity for 15-F2t-isoprostane. Ultrastructural studies were performed to detect cellular alterations related to oxidative stress. Concentration of MDA was significantly increased in postnatal (2.45 +/- 0.84 nmol/mg) and pre-post groups (3.84 +/- 1.39 nmol/mg) compared to the control group (0.31 +/- 0.10 nmol/mg) (p < .01). MDA values in the pre-post group were significantly increased compared to the prenatal group (0.71 +/- 0.15 nmol/mg) (p = .017). Myocardial isoprostane area fraction in the pre-post group was increased compared to other groups (p <= .01). Results show that ambient levels of air pollution elicit cardiac oxidative stress in adult mice, and that gestational exposure may enhance this effect.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)Universidade de São Paulo - Laboratories of Medical Investigation (LIMs) HCFM/US