Systemic Effects Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, And Peripheral Blood Leptin And Ghrelin Levels In Research

BackgroundRecently, besides the typical pulmonary pathology of COPD, several effects occurring outside the lungs have been described—the so called systemic effects of COPD. These effects include: systemic inflammation, weight loss and nutritional abnormalities, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and other potential systemic effects. Weight loss and muscle wasting are associated with increased mortality of COPD. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, has previously been shown to decrease appetite and increase energy expenditure. Ghrelin, a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide, has been shown to cause a positive energy balance by reducing fat use and stimulating food intake. It is unclear whether leptin and ghrelin contribute to anorexia and weight loss in pathologic conditions such as COPD. Furthermore, the roles of leptin and ghrelin in modulating immune response and inflammation have become increasingly evident. Whether leptin and ghrelin play a role in inflammatory processes of COPD is to be elucidated.Objectives1. To evaluate the systemic effects of COPD, including: weight loss, body composition (FFM, FM), systemic inflammation (circulating TNF-α and IL-6), and the plasma levels of leptin, total ghrelin and active ghrelin;2. To investigate the correlations between the systemic effects (plasma hormones, nutritional parameters, circulating inflammatory markers) and the clinical parameters reflecting COPD status (pulmonary function impairment, functional dyspnea, acute exacerbation);3. To investigate the interaction between plasma hormones and circulating inflammatory markers, and their potential roles in malnutrition of COPD;4. To investigate whether leptin and ghrelin correlate to COPD independently of nutritional status and the effects of leptin and ghrelin on inflammatory processes...