Late intervention with a myeloperoxidase inhibitor stops progression of experimental chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Inflammation and oxidative stress are linked to the deleterious effects of cigarette smoke in producing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a neutrophil and macrophage product, is important in bacterial killing, but also drives inflammatory reactions and tissue oxidation.

Objectives: To determine the role of MPO in COPD.