[Influence of age of patients with bronchopulmonary pathology on low-molecular DNA concentration in blood plasma.]

The aim of the work was to determine the concentration of low-molecular-weight plasma DNA (lmDNA) in patients with COPD and chronic non-obstructive bronchitis (CnonB) of two age groups - 34-59 and 60-80 years. The levels of lmDNA in healthy donors, patients with CnonB, healthy relatives of patients with COPD did not differ, while the concentration of lmDNA in patients with COPD was significantly lower. In COPD patients aged 34-59 years, the level of lmDNA was reduced by more than 7 times, and in COPD patients who survived to 60-80 years, it was 3 times lower compared to the value of this biochemical indicator in healthy donors of the same age. The reduction of lmDNA reflected a reduced systemic apoptotic activity in the body of patients with COPD. A significant difference in the concentration of lmDNA in patients with COPD and CnonB in remission can be used for differential diagnosis of the development of these pathological processes. An increase in the low level of lmDNA in COPD patients during aging may indicate the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in life extension.