Do Redox Balance and Inflammatory Events Take Place in Mild Bronchiectasis? A Hint to Clinical Implications

Abstract

We hypothesized that in mild bronchiectasis patients, increased systemic inflammation and redox imbalance may take place and correlate with clinical parameters. In plasma samples from patients with very mild bronchiectasis, inflammatory cells and molecules and redox balance parameters were analyzed. In the patients, lung function and exercise capacity, nutritional status, bacterial colonization, and radiological extension were assessed. Correlations between biological and clinical variables were determined. Compared to healthy controls, levels of acute phase reactants, neutrophils, IgG, IgA, myeloperoxidase, protein oxidation, and GSH increased and lung function and exercise capacity were mildly reduced. GSH levels were even greater in ex-smoker and Pseudomona-colonized patients. Furthermore, radiological extension inversely correlated with airway obstruction and, disease severity, and positively correlated with neutrophil numbers in mild bronchiectasis patients with no nutritional abnormalities. In stable patients with mild bronchiectasis, several important inflammatory and oxidative stress events take place in plasma. These findings suggest that the extension of bronchiectasis probably plays a role in the development of redox imbalance and systemic inflammation in patients with mild bronchiectasis. These results have therapeutic implications in the management of bronchiectasis patients.

Respiratory and Peripheral Muscle Weakness and Body Composition Abnormalities in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients: Gender Differences

“…Patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis exhibited airflow limitation, a decrease in diffusion capacity along with air trapping, reduced exercise capacity, and a slight increase in blood inflammatory parameters as also previously demonstrated [ 6 , 7 ]. The most relevant findings in the study are discussed below.…”

“…The radiological extension of bronchiectasis was evaluated by means of HRCT-scans in all the study patients. Scores for each patient were calculated by two independent observers according to previously established criteria [ 7 , 36 , 37 ]. The extent of bronchiectasis (ES) was scored for each lobe as follows: grade 0 = no disease; grade 1 = one or partial bronchopulmonary segment involved; grade 2 = two or more bronchopulmonary segments involved.…”

“…Extrapulmonary manifestations are common among patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including those with bronchiectasis [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The analysis of skeletal muscle dysfunction and sarcopenia of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been a matter of research in multiple previous investigations [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers Define Specific Clusters in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Large-Cohort Study

“…In fact, significant positive associations were found between several inflammatory parameters (e.g., neutrophils and CRP) and disease severity scores as well as with the number of exacerbations and hospitalizations. Associations between disease severity and systemic inflammation have been previously reported [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The strong association between inflammation and disease progression and severity has also been confirmed in the present study.…”

Bronchiectasis in Adults: Aetiology and New Therapies

“…This has been most clearly defined in patients with more severe disease. In this Special Issue, systemic inflammation and redox balance were studied in patients with mild bronchiectasis [ 9 ]. The cohort studied was fairly small, with only 30 subjects compared to 26 well-matched controls, but otherwise a well-done and comprehensive study.…”