Trace metals in fluids lining the respiratory system of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse lung diseases

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis and an undefined etiopathogenesis. Oxidative stress contributes to alveolar injury and fibrosis development and, because transition metals are essential to the functioning of most proteins involved in redox reactions, a better knowledge of metal concentrations and metabolism in the respiratory system of IPF patients may provide a valuable complementary approach to prevent and manage a disease which is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed in later stages. The present review summarizes and discusses literature data on the elemental composition of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from patients affected by IPF and healthy subjects. Available data are scanty and the lack of consistent methods for the collection and analysis of lung and airways lining fluids makes it difficult to compare the results of different studies. However, the elemental composition of BAL samples from IPF patients seems to have a specific profile that can be distinguished from that of patients with other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) or control subjects. Suggestions are given towards standard sampling and analytical procedures of BAL samples, in the aim to assess typical element concentration patterns and their potential role as biomarkers of IPF.

Analysis of trace elements in bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with diffuse lung diseases

Airborne trace elements are implicated in the etio-pathogenesis of a large number of pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from patients with sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis and healthy (smoking and non-smoking) controls. A total of 44 individuals were recruited among sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients and healthy (smoking and non-smoking) controls. Average Mn concentrations in BAL from patients were 45% lower than in controls (p < 0.01) and remarkable decreases in average concentrations of Cr, Ni and Zn were also found in BAL from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. As these diseases are characterized by the enhanced activation of certain immunomodulatory cells and by generation of free radicals, the depressed Mn, Zn, Cr and Ni concentrations in BAL from patients may be due to oxidative stress. These preliminary results indicate that assessment of the elemental composition of BAL is a promising approach to study the pathogenesis of diffuse lung diseases and Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Determination of copper, zinc and iron in broncho-alveolar lavages by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Concentrations of Zn, Cu and Fe were measured in 157 broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL), before and after centrifugation, collected at the Leuven University Hospital (Belgium). Zn was measured by flame-atomic absorption spectroscopy, using direct calibration, while Cu and Fe were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy, using the method of standard additions. For Fe only 56 samples were measured. Most of the studied elements are present in the liquid phase (supernatant). About 90% of Cu concentrations lie between 0 and 15 micrograms/kg, while 90% of Zn concentrations are lower than 230 micrograms/kg, with 30% between 30 and 70 micrograms/kg, and 50% between 100 and 200 micrograms/kg. There seems to be a reverse relationship between Cu and Zn levels with high Cu going along with low Zn and vice versa.

Rare earth deposits in a deceased movie projectionist. A new case of rare earth pneumoconiosis?

The subject described in this case report, a movie projectionist, had approximately 25 years of occupational exposure to carbon arc lamp fumes. The carbon arc deposits were visible in histological sections as small granules within macrophages of the tracheobronchial lymph nodes and hepatic Kupffer's cells. Electron microprobe analysis by energy dispersive analysis of x-rays showed the granules to be composed of the rare earth elements cerium, lanthanum and neodymium, which are the major constituents of carbon arc rods. Tissue concentrations, as determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, were approximately 250-2000 times those of unexposed controls, and there was evidence of their redistribution throughout the reticuloendothelial system. There were no respiratory symptoms, or radiographic or histological pulmonary changes attributable to the progressive accumulation of the rare earth elements, and as such the patient cannot be considered to have suffered from pneumoconiosis. Twenty-one published cases of rare earth pneumoconiosis, mainly in photoengravers exposed to carbon arc fumes, are reviewed and suggest that rare earth oxides are not innocuous dusts. With the increasingly widespread use of rare earth elements there is a likelhood that further occupational groups may have significant but unrecognised exposure.