Metabolomics of volatile organic compounds in cystic fibrosis patients and controls.

C.M. Robroeks*, J.J.B.N. van Berkel, J.W. Dallinga, Q. Jöbsis, L.J.I. Zimmermann, J.J.E. Hendriks, M.F. Wouters, C.P.M. van der Grinten, K.D.G. van de Kant, F.J. van Schooten, E.D. Dompeling

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In cystic fibrosis (CF), airway inflammation causes an increased production of reactive oxygen species, responsible for degradation of cell membranes. During this process, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are formed. Measurement of VOCs in exhaled breath of CF patients may be useful for the assessment of airway inflammation.This study investigates whether 'metabolomics' of VOCs could discriminate between CF and controls, and between CF patients with and without Pseudomonas colonization.105 Children (48 CF, 57 controls) were included in this study. After exhaled breath collection, samples were transferred onto tubes containing active carbon in order to adsorb and stabilize VOCs. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry to assess VOC profiles. Analysis showed that 1099 VOCs had a prevalence of at least 7%. By using 22 VOCs, a 100% correct identification of CF patients and controls was possible. With 10 VOCs, 92% of the subjects were correctly classified. The reproducibility of VOC measurements with a one-hour interval was very good (matchfactor 0.90+/-0.038). We conclude that 'metabolomics' of VOCs in exhaled breath was possible in a reproducible way. This new technique was not only able to discriminate between CF patients and controls, but also between CF patients with or without Pseudomonas colonization. ABBREVIATIONS::
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-80
Number of pages6
JournalPediatric Research
Volume68
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2010

Keywords

  • EXHALED BREATH
  • LUNG-CANCER
  • RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS
  • OXIDATIVE STRESS
  • SENSOR ARRAY
  • ASTHMA
  • MARKERS
  • CHILDREN
  • DISEASE
  • AIR

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