Anti‐melanoma effects of Hyper‐harmonized hydroxylated fullerene water complex and hyperpolarized light in vivo

Abstract

Although paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA) is the most common phenotype of stable asthma, its features are not adequately studied. In this study, we aim to display the characteristics of PGA. 116 non‐smoker adult asthma patients (80% female, mean age 39± 12.9) admitted to three tertiary centres were included. Their demographic and clinical features, allergy status, biochemical results, Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores, spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements were obtained. Induced sputum cytometry was performed. According to induced sputum cell counts, four phenotypes were detected: eosinophilic (EA) (22.4%), mixed (MGA) (6.9%), neutrophilic (NA) (7.8%) and paucigranulocytic (62.9%). In sputum, macrophages were higher in the PGA group compared to other groups (PGA vs NA and PGA vs MGA: p<0.001, PGA vs EA: p=0.03). The atopy rate between phenotypes was the same. Although forced expiratory flow 1st second (FEV1) was similar in four groups, FEV1/FVC was higher (p=0.013) and FEV1 reversibility was lower in PGA patients than the corresponding values in other phenotypes (p=0.015). Low reversibility was comparable in both inhaled corticosteroid naive PGA patients and in those on ICS treatment. Although insignificant, FeNO and blood eosinophil counts were higher in MGA and EA groups while these were the lowest in the PGA group. Uncontrolled asthma ratio was low in PGA (16%) while it was 11% for NA, 25% for MG and 23% in EA. Macrophages are predominant in sputum of PGA patients. Besides lower uncontrolled asthma ratio, lower FEV1 reversibility is a prominent characteristic of this phenotype.