Arterial endothelial dysfunction in stable COPD patients and the correlation between the degree of endothelial dysfunction and the severity of COPD

Abstract

Objective To investigate arterial endothelial dysfunction in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and the correlation between the degree of endothelial dysfunction and the severity of COPD. Methods Forty stable COPD patients were enrolled in a COPD group and 30 non-COPD individuals in a control group.The endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and serum eNO value were measured in both groups.Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/prediction of FEV1 was determined and expressed as FEV1 (% pred). Results The mean FMD was significantly lower in the COPD group (11.21±5.19)% than in the control group (19.86±5.24)%(t=6.090, P=0.001). The Pearson’s correlation analysis showed FMD was positively correlated with FEV1 (%pred) in COPD patients (r=0.440, P<0.05). The mean serum eNO level in the COPD group (108.58±42.22)μmol/L was significantly lower than in the control group (151.17±97.40)μmol/L (t=2.242, P=0.039). Conclusions The endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation is significantly impaired in stable COPD patients, and the degree of impairment is proportional to the FEV1 (% prediction of FEV1) in COPD patients. Key words: Vascular endothelium; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Nitric oxide