Total desmosines in plasma and urine correlate with lung function

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the matrix degradation biomarkers, desmosine and isodesmosine (desmosines), and lung function. Plasma and creatinine-corrected urinary total desmosines (P- and U-desmosines, respectively), lung function and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(L,CO)) were measured in a cohort of subjects from the Swedish Twin Registry. Concentrations of U- and P-desmosines were measured in 349 and 318 subjects, respectively; approximately one-third of subjects had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Age, female sex, body mass index (BMI) and smoking were significantly associated with U-desmosines in a multiple linear regression analysis. In the overall population, after adjustments for age, sex, height, BMI and smoking, concentrations of U-desmosines were significantly correlated with all lung function measures, and P-desmosines with forced expiratory volume in 1 s and D(L,CO) (p<0.05). With the exception of residual volume versus P-desmosines, relationships between concentrations of desmosines and lung function measures were markedly stronger in subjects with COPD compared with those without COPD. These cross-sectional data showing associations between desmosines and several lung function variables suggest that desmosines, particularly U-desmosines, could be a useful biomarker of COPD status.