Measurement of exhaled alveolar nitrogen oxide in patients with lung cancer: a friend from the past still precious today.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a marker of airway inflammation and indirectly a general indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress. NO is a contributing factor in lung cancer at an early stage and also after chemotherapy treatment of lung cancer. We studied whether exhaled NO levels were altered by three cycles of chemotherapy at diagnosis and after chemotherapy, and whether, directly or indirectly, these changes were related to the course of disease. Also, a correlation of NO levels with other markers of inflammation was performed. We studied 42 patients diagnosed early: 26 men and 16 women with lung cancer. We analyzed blood tests for control of inflammatory markers, functional pulmonary tests, and alveolar exhaled NO. We recorded a decrease in exhaled NO after three cycles of chemotherapy in all patients, regardless of histological type and stage: there were 42 patients with mean 9.8 NO after three cycles (average 7.7). Also, a strong correlation appeared between NO measurements before and after chemotherapy and C-reactive protein (P < 0.05, r = 0.42, before) and (P < 0.045, r = 0.64, after). NO alveolar measurement as an indicator of airway inflammation indicates response to chemotherapy in lung cancer. Also, the inflammatory process in lung cancer was confirmed and indicated response to chemotherapy through an index that is sensitive to inflammatory disease of the airways.

Elevated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure in patients with sarcoidosis: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis-related pulmonary hypertension (SRPH) is an entity associated with significant morbidity and mortality irrespective of disease severity, while the pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included consecutive patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis (n = 313) who were followed up in an outpatient setting from October 2002 through June 2010. All patients underwent clinical and cardiopulmonary evaluation, including cardiac MRI, to assess prevalence of SRPH and identify possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. RESULTS: By Doppler echocardiographic criteria, 37 (11.8 %) patients were found to have pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) >40 mmHg. Twelve of the 37 patients agreed to undergo right heart catheterization and SRPH was confirmed in nine patients. Compared to patients without SRPH, those with SRPH were significantly older and had greater lung function impairment; disease duration did not differ between patients with and without SRPH. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and age were independent determinants of SRPH. Pulmonary fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction due to cardiac sarcoidosis or other comorbidities accounted for SRPH in the majority of patients. In the nonpulmonary fibrosis group, DLCO ≤ 50.65 (% predicted) was associated with SRPH (sensitivity = 77.8 %, specificity = 72.2 %; p = 0.031, AUC = 0.759). CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of sarcoidosis patients, this study found a prevalence of SRPH of about 12 %. Pulmonary fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction due to cardiac sarcoidosis or other comorbidities are frequent pathogenic mechanisms.

Effect of CPAP treatment on endothelial function and plasma CRP levels in patients with sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and alleviating symptoms. Improved sleep quality with effective CPAP therapy might also contribute to attenuated systemic inflammation and improved endothelial function, with subsequent reduction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 3-month CPAP therapy on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with OSAS. MATERIAL/METHODS: Our study group consisted of 38 male patients with no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Twenty patients with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥15 were assigned to receive CPAP treatment and 18 subjects with an AHI<5 were included in the control group. Six patients failed to comply with the CPAP treatment. Measurement of FMD and blood analysis was performed at baseline and 3 months after CPAP therapy. RESULTS: Baseline FMD values were negatively correlated with age, BMI, AHI, DSI,% of time <90% Sa02, and CRP (p<0.05). Plasma CRP values were positively correlated with BMI, AHI, DSI and% of time <90% Sa02 (p<0.05). In the group of patients who complied with the CPAP treatment, there was a significant increase in the FMD values (9.18 ± 0.55 vs. 6.27 ± 0.50) and a decrease in the levels of CRP (0.67 ± 0.15 vs. 0.84 ± 0.18) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate CPAP therapy improved both CRP and FMD values, suggesting its potentially beneficial role in reducing cardiovascular risk in OSAS patients.