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Quantifying Pulmonary Microvascular Density in Mice Across Lobules
Published on: January 3, 2025
The association of systemic microvascular changes with lung function and lung density: a cross-sectional study
Bianca Harris1, Ronald Klein, Michael Jerosch-Herold
1Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America.
Plos One
|January 4, 2013
Summary
Smoking-related lung disease is linked to microvascular damage in the eyes, kidneys, and heart. Reduced lung function and low lung density are associated with these systemic microvascular changes, particularly in smokers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Smoking is a known cause of endothelial dysfunction and systemic microvascular disease, leading to end-organ damage.
- Microvascular changes in smoking-related lung disease are not well understood.
- This study investigates the link between lung function, lung density, and microvascular health in multiple organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if microvascular changes in the retina, kidneys, and heart are associated with obstructive spirometry and low lung density.
- To explore the relationship between lung function parameters and markers of microvascular function.
- To examine if these associations differ in smokers versus non-smokers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
- Assessed microvascular function through retinal arteriolar/venular caliber, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and myocardial blood flow (MRI).
- Measured spirometry (FEV(1), FVC) and low attenuation areas (LAA) on CT scans, adjusting for relevant risk factors.
Main Results:
- Retinal venular caliber was inversely associated with FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC ratio.
- Albumin-to-creatinine ratio was inversely associated with FEV(1).
- Myocardial blood flow was associated with lower FEV(1), lower FEV(1)/FVC, and greater LAA, with stronger associations in smokers.
Conclusions:
- Low lung function is associated with microvascular changes in the retina, kidneys, and heart.
- Low lung density correlates with impaired myocardial microvascular perfusion.
- Findings suggest lung dysfunction may contribute to systemic microvascular disease or share a common predisposition with it.
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