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[Elevated substance P content in sputum and plasma in patients with COPD and its relationship with FEV1/FVC]
1Institute of the Respiratory Disease, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Objective:
To investigate the role of substance P(SP) of the nonadrenergic system within airways in the pathogenesis of COPD, and analyze the relationship between level of SP and FEV1/FVC in COPD patients.
Method:
SP concentration in sputum and plasma in 20 patients with COPD and 20 normal volunteers was examined and was measured by radioimmunoassay.
Results:
The sputum SP concentration was significantly higher in patients with COPD (57.3 +/- 14.5) pmol/L than that in normal volunteers(5.9 +/- 2.6) pmol/L, P < 0.01, the plasma SP concentration was significantly higher in COPD patients (8.6 +/- 3.9) pmol/L than that in normal volunteers (3.8 +/- 2.0) pmol/L, P < 0.05. The plasma and sputum SP concentration correlated with FEV1/FVC in COPD patients (r = -0.591, r = -0.642, P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
These data suggest that neurogenic inflammation may be involved in the airway inflammation process and subsequent airway narrowing in COPD.