Advances in metabolomics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease with limited airflow. COPD is characterized by chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is often accompanied by malnutrition with fatigue, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infection. Although the pulmonary function test is used as the gold criterion for diagnosing COPD, it is unable to identify early COPD or classify the subtypes, thereby impeding early intervention and the precise diagnosis of COPD. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction, such as changes in lipids, amino acids, glucose, nucleotides, and microbial metabolites in the lungs and intestine, have a great potential for diagnosing COPD in the early stage. However, a comprehensive summary of these metabolites and their effects on COPD is still lacking. This review summarizes the metabolites that are changed in COPD and highlights some promising early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. We emphasize that intensified dietary management may be among the most feasible methods to improve metabolism in the body.