Short Communication - (2025) Volume 16, Issue 1
Received: 01-Feb-2025, Manuscript No. CSJ-25-168669;
Editor assigned: 03-Feb-2025, Pre QC No. P-168669;
Reviewed: 15-Feb-2025, QC No. Q-168669;
Revised: 20-Feb-2025, Manuscript No. R-168669;
Published:
27-Feb-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2160-3494.2025.16.442
Citation: Nair, Pranav. "Non-Invasive Assessment of Bronchiectasis Severity Using Exhaled HO Levels." Chem Sci J 16 (2025): 442.
Copyright: © 2025 Nair P. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The measurement of H2O2 in EBC involves collecting breath samples from patients using a cooled condenser system, which captures volatile and non-volatile compounds exhaled from the lungs. This non-invasive technique is straightforward, requiring patients to breathe tidally into a mouthpiece for 10-15 minutes, with the condensate analyzed using sensitive assays like colorimetric or fluorometric methods to quantify H2O2 concentrations. In bronchiectasis, elevated H2O2 levels result from increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by activated neutrophils and macrophages in inflamed airways. Research has demonstrated that patients with bronchiectasis exhibit significantly higher EBC H2O2 levels compared to healthy controls, with concentrations often exceeding 0.5 µM in diseased states versus less than 0.2 µM in healthy individuals. These elevated levels correlate with disease severity, as assessed by lung function parameters like Forced Expiratory Volume In One Second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). For instance, patients with severe bronchiectasis, characterized by extensive airway damage and frequent exacerbations, show higher H2O2 levels than those with milder disease. The methodâ??s reproducibility and sensitivity make it suitable for longitudinal monitoring, allowing clinicians to track changes in inflammation over time or in response to therapies like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents. Notably, H2O2 levels have been observed to decrease following successful treatment, suggesting its utility as a marker of therapeutic efficacy.
The clinical implications of EBC H2O2 measurement extend beyond severity assessment to understanding the pathophysiology of bronchiectasis. Oxidative stress, driven by excessive ROS, contributes to airway tissue damage, mucus hypersecretion and chronic infection, perpetuating a vicious cycle of inflammation. H2O2, as a stable ROS byproduct, serves as a direct indicator of this process. Studies have also explored factors influencing H2O2 levels, such as the use of inhaled corticosteroids, which showed no significant impact on H2O2 concentrations in bronchiectasis patients, indicating that oxidative stress may persist despite steroid therapy. This finding underscores the need for targeted antioxidant or anti-inflammatory treatments to address underlying oxidative damage. Compared to other biomarkers, like sputum neutrophil counts or serum C-reactive protein, EBC H2O2 offers advantages in ease of collection and specificity to airway processes. However, challenges remain, including standardization of EBC collection protocols and accounting for environmental factors like smoking or air pollution, which can elevate H2O2 levels. Advances in portable EBC devices and real-time H2O2 sensors could further enhance its clinical applicability, enabling point-of-care testing in outpatient settings. By integrating EBC H2O2 measurement with existing tools like HRCT and spirometry, clinicians can achieve a more comprehensive assessment of bronchiectasis, tailoring interventions to individual patient needs and improving outcomes [2].
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