Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in bronchiectasis-associated sarcopenia
Adriana Núñez-Robainas1,2,3, Mariela Alvarado-Miranda1,2,3,4,5, Alberto Solano6
1Muscle Wasting and Cachexia in Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Lung Cancer Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.
ERJ Open Research
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Sarcopenia in bronchiectasis patients shows elevated systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, but not in muscle. This highlights the need for holistic treatments targeting both lung and body-wide disease aspects.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and strength, is increasingly linked to chronic lung diseases like bronchiectasis.
- Inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in sarcopenia pathogenesis, but their role in bronchiectasis-associated sarcopenia is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate systemic and muscle inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with bronchiectasis and sarcopenia.
- To explore associations between clinical parameters and biomarkers in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of proinflammatory and redox balance biomarkers in blood and vastus lateralis muscle tissue from 20 sarcopenic bronchiectasis patients and 10 controls.
- Utilized ELISA, immunoblotting, and real-time PCR for biomarker quantification.
- Conducted clinical and functional assessments for all participants.
Main Results:
- Bronchiectasis patients displayed reduced BMI, fat-free mass, muscle function, lung function, and exercise capacity compared to controls.
- Significantly elevated plasma levels of inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and oxidative stress markers (e.g., myeloperoxidase, reactive carbonyls) were observed in patients.
- No significant differences in analyzed biomarkers were found in vastus lateralis muscle tissue between groups.
- Inflammatory markers correlated positively with leukocytes and neutrophils; sarcopenia severity correlated negatively with antioxidant markers (SOD, GSH).
Conclusions:
- Sarcopenic patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis exhibit systemic, but not muscular, inflammation and oxidative stress.
- These systemic changes are associated with poorer muscle and nutritional status.
- Holistic treatment strategies addressing pulmonary and systemic manifestations, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant interventions, are warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...