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A3817 - Cellular Composition of Induced Sputum, Epithelial Destruction and the Contents of Bronchi Goblet Cells in Asthmatics After Acute Cold Bronchoprovocation
Author Block: V. P. Kolosov1, A. B. Pirogov1, A. G. Prikhodko2, S. V. Zinov'ev3, J. M. Perelman2; 1Laboratory of Prophylaxis of Nonspecific Lung Diseases, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Blagoveschensk, Russian Federation, 2Laboratory of Functional Research of Respiratory System, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Blagoveschensk, Russian Federation, 3Central Research Laboratory, Amur State Medical Academy, Blagoveschensk, Russian Federation.
RATIONALE. Cellular inflammation and destruction of bronchial epithelium in asthma are the basis for the formation of epithelial dysfunction, mucociliary insufficiency and bronchial remodeling. We aimed to study the cellular composition of induced sputum (IS), destructive-cytolitic activity of epithelium and the contents of bronchi goblet cells in asthmatics after acute cold bronchoprovocation. METHODS. A two-day examination of 12 patients with mild asthma was done. In the first day IS was collected; the next day 3-minute test of isocapnic hyperventilation with cold (-20°С) air (IHCA) was done, and then IS was collected again. The percentage and the degree of destruction of cellular elements and cytolysis intensiveness in IS were assessed. There were distinguished 5 classes of destruction (0 - normal structure, 1 - partial (less than 1/2) damage of cytoplasm, normal structure of the nucleus; 2 - significant (more than 1/2) destruction of cytoplasm, partial damage of the nucleus; 3 - full destruction of cytoplasm, significant destruction of the nucleus; 4 - full destruction with nucleus and cytoplasm disintegration). The total index of cells destruction was calculated: ICD = (n0+n1+n2+n3+n4)/100; where n0⋯n4 is the number of cells of the corresponding class. The index of cells cytolysis (ICC) was calculated as the ratio of more damaged cells to the contents of the other damaged cells: ICD= n4/(n0+n1+n2+n3+n4). RESULTS. In response to IHCA there was a significant increase of a number of neutrophils (from 41.0±5.4 till 49.2±5.49%; р=0.005), the decrease of goblet cells (from 0.31±0.06 till 0.14±0.05%; р=0.046), as well as the tendency to the decrease of a number of eosinophils (from 17.4±4.3 till 10.0±2.7%, р=0.15) and the total number of epithelial cells (from 3.8±1.1 till 3.1±1.2%; р=0.67). The initial ICD for epithelial cells was 0.43±0.03, after IHCA 0.48±0.03 (р=0.27). ICC was 0.17±0.02 vs. 19±0.02, respectively (р=0.62). There was a significant decrease of the cells of II class of destruction from 7.0±1.38 till 3.6±0.68% (р=0.048) and the increase of the cells of IV class from 16.0±1.34 till 20.4±1.56% (р=0.044). The number of epithelial cells of 0, I and III class did not change. We found a close correlation between the number of goblet cells in IS and bronchial response to IHCA (r=-0.73; р=0.026). CONCLUSIONS. Asthma patients respond to acute cold provocation by increase of the number of neutrophils in IS, increase of the content of epithelial cells with partial and full disintegration of cytoplasm and nucleus, and by decrease of goblet cells content.