Effect of Whole-Body Exposure to Cold and Wind on Lung Function in Asthmatic Patients

Background: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary disorder involving lungs, characterized by low serum concentration of the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) also called proteinase inhibitor (PI). Asthma is common in AATD patients, but there are only few data on respiratory function in asthmatic patients with AATD. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate lung function in asthmatic outpatients with mutation in the SERPINA1 gene coding for AAT versus asthmatic subjects without mutation. Methods: We performed the quantitative analysis of the serum concentration of AAT in 600 outpatients affected by mild to moderate asthma from the University Hospital of Parma, Italy. Fifty-seven of them underwent the genetic analysis subsequently; they were subdivided into mutated and non-mutated subjects. All the mutated patients had a heterozygous genotype, except 1 (PI*SS). We assessed the lung function through a flow-sensing spirometer and the small airway parameters through an impulse oscillometry system. Results: The values of forced vital capacity (% predicted) and those of the residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (%) were, respectively, lower and higher in patients mutated versus patients without mutation, showing a significantly greater air trapping (p = 0.014 and p = 0.017, respectively). Moreover, patients with mutation in comparison to patients without mutation showed lower forced expiratory volume in 3 s (% predicted) and forced expiratory volume in 6 s (L) spirometric values, reflecting a smaller airways contribution. Conclusions: In asthmatic patients, heterozygosity for AAT with PI*MZ and PI*MS genotypes was associated with small airway dysfunction and with lung air trapping.

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Effect of verbal counselling on metred‐dose inhaler proper use and lung function test amongst asthmatic patients: A meta‐analysis

International Journal of Clinical Practice ◽

10.1111/ijcp.14077 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mona A. Abdelrahman ◽

Haitham Saeed ◽

Hasnaa Osama ◽

Hadeer S. Harb ◽

Yasmin M. Madney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Lung Function Test ◽

Dose Inhaler ◽

Asthmatic Patients ◽

Function Test

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Simple low dose radiography allows precise lung volume assessment in mice

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83319-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amara Khan ◽

Andrea Markus ◽

Thomas Rittmann ◽

Jonas Albers ◽

Frauke Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Whole Body ◽

Acquisition Time ◽

Micro Ct ◽

Lung Volumes ◽

X Ray ◽

Promising Tool ◽

Volume Assessment ◽

Set Up ◽

Time Required

AbstractX-ray based lung function (XLF) as a planar method uses dramatically less X-ray dose than computed tomography (CT) but so far lacked the ability to relate its parameters to pulmonary air volume. The purpose of this study was to calibrate the functional constituents of XLF that are biomedically decipherable and directly comparable to that of micro-CT and whole-body plethysmography (WBP). Here, we developed a unique set-up for simultaneous assessment of lung function and volume using XLF, micro-CT and WBP on healthy mice. Our results reveal a strong correlation of lung volumes obtained from radiographic XLF and micro-CT and demonstrate that XLF is superior to WBP in sensitivity and precision to assess lung volumes. Importantly, XLF measurement uses only a fraction of the radiation dose and acquisition time required for CT. Therefore, the redefined XLF approach is a promising tool for preclinical longitudinal studies with a substantial potential of clinical translation.

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Quantification of nasal involvement in a guinea pig plethysmograph

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1994.76.4.1432 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 1432-1438 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

M. J. Finney ◽

K. I. Forsberg

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Guinea Pig ◽

Respiratory System ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Repeated Measurement ◽

Whole Body ◽

Nasal Resistance ◽

Rapid Technique ◽

Respiratory System Resistance ◽

Lower Airways

We have developed a technique for measuring lung function in conscious guinea pigs using a whole body plethysmograph. Because guinea pigs breathe through the nose, a technique was also developed to measure nasal and lower respiratory system conductance simultaneously in anesthetized animals. The upper and the lower airways could be challenged separately and studied in a manner similar to the conditions in the plethysmograph. Aerosols of histamine, carbachol, or ovalbumin delivered to the nose in sensitized animals had no effect on nasal conductance, even in doses 100 times higher than that required to reduce lower respiratory system conductance. However, intravenous histamine increased nasal conductance. Thus, although nasal resistance constitutes the majority of the total respiratory system resistance measured in the plethysmograph, nasal resistance is unaffected by the aerosol drugs studied. We therefore consider changes in resistance measured in the plethysmograph to originate at or below the larynx. The plethysmographic technique described here is a reliable, reproducible, and rapid technique that enables repeated measurement in animals and minimizes animal trauma.

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EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO COLD AND OF DIET ON COENZYME A LEVELS IN TISSUES

Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology ◽

10.1139/y60-020 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 175-185

Author(s):

James Campbell ◽

Gordon R. Green ◽

Eduard Schönbaum ◽

Harvey Socol

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Adrenal Glands ◽

Coenzyme A ◽

Pantothenic Acid ◽

Whole Body ◽

Unit Weight ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Fresh Tissue ◽

Exposure To Cold ◽

Complete Diet

Exposure of adult rats to a cold environment increased the coenzyme A (CoA) extractable from their livers. The increases, in rats fed a complete diet, were found within 3 days, and were larger the longer the duration of exposure, amounting to 6, 27, and 60% above the control values after 3, 17, and 24 days respectively. The relations were similar when the CoA from the liver was expressed per unit weight of fresh tissue, or of liver total solids, or of whole body. When rats were fed a diet deficient in pantothenic acid, exposure to cold also resulted in elevation of CoA in the liver, but the differences did not progress with the duration of exposure. The liver CoA was further increased by the addition of large amounts of ascorbic acid to both the complete and the pantothenate-deficient diets. This effect of ascorbic acid occurred in rats under both ordinary and cold environmental conditions. Exposure to cold did not alter the concentration of CoA in the adrenal glands, but caused enlargement of the glands so that the amount of CoA in the adrenal per unit weight of the whole body increased. Other alterations in these animals exposed to cold included enlargement of the kidneys and heart, and decrease in depot fat. Deficiency of pantothenate in the diet slowed the rate of growth of young rats and significantly reduced the levels of CoA in the liver and the adrenal glands.

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