Airway Monitoring by Collection and Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Exhaled Particles

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. 662 - 668
• Main Authors: Almstrand, Ann-Charlotte, Ljungström, Evert, Lausmaa, Jukka, Bake, Björn, Sjövall, Peter, Olin, Anna-Carin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.01.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Airborne particulates; analysis; Analytical chemistry; Asthma; Asthma - diagnosis; Biological Markers; Biomarkers - analysis; Breath Tests; Breath Tests - methods; Chemical analysis; Chemistry; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - diagnosis; diagnosis; Exact sciences and technology; Exhalation; Female; Fysiologi och anatomi; Humans; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry - methods; methods; Middle Aged; Monitoring; Monitoring, Physiologic; Phospholipids; Phospholipids - analysis; Physiologic; Physiology and Anatomy; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory Function Tests; Silicon wafers; Spectrometric and optical methods; Particle; Expired air; Chemical analysis; Time of flight method; Impactor; Biological marker; Phospholipid; Secondary ion mass spectrometry; Feasibility; Silicon; Mass spectrometry; Monitoring
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac802055k

We describe a new method for simultaneously collecting particles in exhaled air for subsequent chemical analysis and measuring their size distribution. After forced exhalation, particles were counted and collected in spots on silicon wafers with a cascade impactor. Several phospholipids were identified by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis of the collected spots, suggesting that the particles originated from the lower airways. The amount of particles collected in ten exhalations was sufficient for characterizing the phospholipid composition. The feasibility of the technique in respiratory research is demonstrated by analysis of the phospholipid composition of exhaled particles from healthy controls, patients with asthma, and patients with cystic fibrosis. We believe this technology will be useful for monitoring patients with respiratory disease and has a high potential to detect new biomarkers in exhaled air.