Randomization to Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Endothelial Function in COPD: The COD-Fish Randomized Controlled Trial.

Rationale: Studies suggest a pathogenic role of endothelial dysfunction in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation improves endothelial function in other diseases but has not been examined in COPD.

Objective: We hypothesized that n-3 PUFA supplementation would improve systemic endothelial function in COPD.

Endothelial microparticles in mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease study.

Rationale: Basic research implicates alveolar endothelial cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. However, information on endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in mild COPD and emphysema is lacking.

Objectives: We hypothesized that levels of CD31(+) EMPs phenotypic for endothelial cell apoptosis would be elevated in COPD and associated with percent emphysema on computed tomography (CT).