Altered skeletal muscle function and beneficial effects of exercise training in a rat model of induced pulmonary emphysema.

Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and development of emphysema. Among the comorbidities associated with COPD, skeletal muscle dysfunction is known to affect exercise capacity and the survival rate of patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), via exercise training, is essential for COPD patients.

Elevated Blood Pressure Occurs without Endothelial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Emphysema.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease involving airway closure and parenchyma destruction (emphysema). Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbi-mortality in COPD and, in particular, hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, no mechanistic link has currently been established between the onset of COPD, elevated blood pressure (BP) and systemic vascular impairment (endothelial dysfunction).