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Enzyme catalytic activities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Ivana Cepelak1, Slavica Dodig, Dominik Romic
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Archives of Medical Research
|June 3, 2006
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alters amino acid metabolism, indicated by changes in aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activities. Alkaline phosphatase elevation suggests bone rearrangement issues in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to systemic oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered skeletal muscle amino acid metabolism, leading to muscle dysfunction.
- Investigating specific enzyme activity changes provides insight into the systemic effects of COPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activities in COPD patients.
- To assess the impact of cigarette smoking on these enzyme activities in COPD.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activities (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase) were measured in serum samples.
- COPD patients (n=29) and healthy subjects (n=58, including non-smokers, ex-smokers, and smokers) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- COPD patients showed significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities.
- Lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased in COPD patients compared to healthy non-smokers.
- Elevated alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were observed in 50%, 5%, and 50% of COPD patients, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Significant alterations in transamination enzyme activities support the hypothesis of disturbed amino acid metabolism in COPD skeletal muscle.
- Increased alkaline phosphatase activity suggests concurrent changes in bone metabolism in COPD patients.
- Cigarette smoking did not demonstrate a significant effect on the measured enzyme activities in this study.