Biomarkers of oxidative-stress and inflammation in exhaled breath condensate from hospital cleaners.

Objective: We studied the impact of chlorinated agents exposure on exhaled breath condensate (EBC) biomarkers in cleaners. Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nitrites ( [GRAPHICS] ), nitrates ( [GRAPHICS] ), pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ammonium ( [GRAPHICS] ) were tested in EBC of 40 cleaners and 40 non-exposed controls. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) and soluble type II receptor of IL-1 (sIL-1RII) were analyzed also in plasma. Results: Levels of MDA-EBC, 4-HNE-EBC and [GRAPHICS] -EBC were higher, while pH-EBC values were lower, in cleaners. MDA-EBC was associated with 4-HNE-EBC, [GRAPHICS] -EBC and pH. 4-HNE-EBC correlated with PTX3. Conclusion: Professional exposure to chlorinated agents increases EBC biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.