Evaluation of Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in COPD Patients with or without Cardiovascular Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND

Although both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are characterised by chronic, systemic inflammation, their reciprocal interactions are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of both inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in the serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of COPD patients, either with coexisting CVD or without cardio-vascular comorbidities.

METHODS

Twenty-four COPD patients with CVD were allocated to group A, 20 COPD patients without CVD were assigned to group B and 16 healthy patients were included as a control. A medical history and physical examination were performed, and the following were measured: serum CRP concentration, glucose level, uraemic acid level and lipid profile. In addition 8-isoprostane, LTB4 and IL-8 concentrations were measured both in serum and EBC. Spirometry, six-minute walk test and echocardiography were performed in all subjects.

RESULTS

EBC concentrations of 8-isoprostane and LTB4, and serum levels of CRP, 8-soprostane, LTB4, IL-8 were significantly higher in COPD patients than in healthy controls. COPD patients with CVD were not found to have higher concentrations of the assessed markers than those without CVD, neither in the serum nor EBC. CRP, 8-isoprostane and LTB4 levels in serum, and IL-8 concentration in EBC correlated negatively with the value of forced expiratory volume in one second.

CONCLUSIONS

Although systemic inflammation coexists with COPD, it is not elevated in COPD patients with CVD. Since this phenomenon may result from treatment with statins, future studies should state whether COPD patients could benefit from the additional statin therapy.