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Increased arterial carboxyhemoglobin concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Hiroyasu Yasuda1, Mutsuo Yamaya, Katsutoshi Nakayama
1Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan. yasuda@geriat.med.tohoku.ac.jp
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|March 15, 2005
Summary
Increased arterial carboxyhemoglobin (Hb-CO) levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) correlate with disease severity and inflammation. This suggests Hb-CO may be a useful biomarker for monitoring COPD activity.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and arterial carboxyhemoglobin (Hb-CO) concentrations rise in inflammatory lung diseases.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of arterial Hb-CO as a marker for disease activity in ex-smoking COPD patients.
- To explore the relationship between arterial Hb-CO, disease severity, and inflammatory markers in COPD.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of arterial Hb-CO, arteriovenous Hb-CO differences, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
- Comparison between 58 COPD patients and 61 ex-smoking control subjects.
- Correlation analysis with exhaled CO, arterial blood gases, FEV1, C-reactive protein, and lipid peroxide levels.
Main Results:
- Arterial Hb-CO concentrations were significantly higher in COPD patients than controls, and increased during exacerbations.
- Hb-CO levels correlated with COPD severity stages (GOLD stages III and IV).
- Arterial Hb-CO correlated with exhaled CO, serum C-reactive protein, and lipid peroxides, and inversely with FEV1 and partial oxygen pressure.
Conclusions:
- Elevated arterial Hb-CO in COPD patients may reflect lung and systemic inflammation.
- Arterial Hb-CO shows potential as a biomarker for monitoring COPD disease activity and severity.
- The findings link increased Hb-CO to inflammation and reactive oxygen species production in COPD.