Levels of serum biomarkers in COPD and the association with airflow limitation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes of serum biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their role in airflow limitation. Methods Forty-one patients with COPD were selected as COPD group and 35 healthy smokers were selected as control group.We quantified serum levels of pulmonary surfactant protein D(SP-D), matrix metalloproteinase 2, 3, 9(MMP-2, 3, 9), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), Clara cell protein 16 (CC16), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and pulmonary function. Results The level of serum MMP-2 in patients with stable COPD was lower than that in control group(P 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MMP-3 was associated with COPD after adjustment for age, smoking and other factors (OR=1.368, P=0.045, 95% CI: 1.008-1.858). The correlation analysis showed that MMP-3 had no correlation with FVC%pred, FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC and MMEF% (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in serum MMP-3 level with the increase of disease (P>0.05). Conclusions Serum MMP-3 may play a role in airflow limitation and may have diagnostic value for COPD, but this study has little to do with the degree of airflow limitation in COPD patients. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Biomarker; Pulmonary function; Matrix metalloproteinase-3; Airflow limitation