Decline of exhaled isoprene in lung cancer patients correlates with immune activation

Isoprene (2-methylbuta-1,3-diene) represents a precursor molecule of isoprenoids (steroids, terpens), and available data suggest that isoprene is related to cholesterol biosynthesis. Breath concentrations of isoprene have been reported to be altered in a number of clinical conditions. However, the physiological meaning of isoprene changes has not yet been established. Utilizing proton-transfer-mass spectroscopy, we analyzed isoprene concentrations (m/z 69, tentatively identified as isoprene) in breath samples in Tedlar bags collected from 79 lung cancer patients (23 females, 56 males). Results were compared to the concentrations of immune activation marker neopterin (ELISA, BRAHMS, Hennigsdorf, Germany), lipid parameters (routine enzymology) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Isoprene concentrations were median 92.5 ppb (25th-75th percentile: 79-131 ppb). There was no relationship with staging, grading or age, but isoprene concentrations correlated significantly with total cholesterol (rs = 0.281, p < 0.01) and LDL cholesterol (rs = 0.236, p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between exhaled isoprene concentrations and HDL cholesterol (rs = 0.048), triglycerides (rs = 0.164) and CRP (rs = -0.115; all not significant). A significant inverse correlation existed between isoprene and neopterin concentrations (rs = -0.215, p < 0.05); the latter also correlated with total cholesterol (rs = -0.343, p = 0.001), HDL cholesterol (rs = -0.273, p = 0.01), LDL cholesterol (rs = -0.236, p < 0.05) and CRP (rs = 0.230, p < 0.05) but not with triglycerides (rs = 0.035, not significant). Results suggest that immune activation might play a role in the decline of isoprene which is probably related to lipid metabolic changes. Interestingly, similar relationships between elevated neopterin and decreased lipid concentrations have been reported earlier in other clinical conditions, e. g. in patients with HIV-1 infection.