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Inflammatory response and body composition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A A Eid1, A A Ionescu, L S Nixon
1Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Penarth, South Glamorgan, UK.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|November 13, 2001
Summary
Skeletal muscle loss in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to systemic inflammation, even without apparent weight loss. This suggests inflammation may contribute to muscle wasting in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Weight loss in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to increased energy expenditure for breathing.
- Understanding the relationship between body composition and inflammation is crucial for managing COPD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body composition, specifically skeletal muscle mass, and systemic inflammatory markers in clinically stable COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 80 clinically stable COPD patients.
- Assessed body composition anthropometrically and skeletal muscle mass using the creatinine-height index (CHI).
- Measured circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and their soluble receptors in 68 patients.
Main Results:
- Reduced CHI (< 80% predicted) was associated with significantly higher levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and their soluble receptors.
- Patients with normal BMI and low CHI exhibited inflammatory mediator levels similar to those with low BMI and low CHI.
- Nitrogen balance was similar between normal and low CHI groups, but nitrogen excretion was higher in the low CHI group.
Conclusions:
- Skeletal muscle loss in COPD appears linked to systemic inflammation, even when overt weight loss is not present.
- Inflammation may be a contributing factor to muscle wasting in COPD, independent of overall body mass index.
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