Alterations in circulating mitochondrial signals at hospital admission for COPD exacerbation.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (ECOPD) alters the natural course of the disease. To date, only C-reactive protein has been used as a biomarker in ECOPD, but it has important limitations. The mitochondria release peptides (Humanin (HN), FGF-21, GDF-15, MOTS-c and Romo1) under certain metabolic conditions.

Circulating levels of mitochondrial oxidative stress-related peptides MOTS-c and Romo1 in stable COPD: A cross-sectional study.

Background: MOTS-c and Romo1 are mitochondrial peptides that are modulated by oxidative stress. No previous studies have explored circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We enrolled 142 patients with stable COPD and 47 smokers with normal lung function in an observational cross-sectional study.

Associations between serum mitokine levels and outcomes in stable COPD: an observational prospective study.

Mitokines (Humanin (HN), GDF15 and FGF21) are produced as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction and may have major roles in chronic inflammation, malnutrition and exercise capacity in people with COPD. Except for GDF15, studies on this subject are lacking. A total of 165 patients with stable COPD and 49 smokers without COPD were enrolled.

Associations of serum sclerostin levels with body composition, pulmonary function, and exacerbations in COPD patients.

Background: In COPD, the bronchial epithelium shows a pathologically activated Wnt pathway. Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein that is associated with bone metabolism and blocks the Wnt pathway. We hypothesized that low sclerostin levels might be associated with lung function and COPD exacerbations in patients.

A new, three-dimensional approach to the GOLD COPD assessment tool.

Background: The 2-dimensional, 4-quadrant 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD A-D assessment tool (GOLD) does not include lung function variables to classify patients into different risk groups. The previous 2011 tool (GOLD) classified cases in the upper-quadrants (higher risk groups) regardless of whether they had a history of exacerbations or worse lung function. We hypothesized that a modified, three-dimensional classification (GOLD) that separately includes assessment of lung function and exacerbations history would improve the ability to predict adverse events.