Diagnostic value of measurement of exhaled endogenous nonvolatile substances

The total amount of nonvolatile substances in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a biomarker of formation of dispersed aerosol in airways. Exhaled endogenous nonvolatile substances have been studied in 358 healthy persons and patients with respiratory, heart, and renal diseases. The exhalation of endogenous nonvolatile substances was not associated with gender but enhanced with aging. Smoking, acute period of pneumonia, and chronic renal insufficiency increased nonvolatile substances volume in EBC. Chronic heart failure and COPD reduced this parameter. Concentration of nonvolatile substances in EBC increased in all these diseases. Proposed diagnostic test could be useful for investigation of EBC.