• TapanOzge OralOODepartment of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey., Utku Tapan, Tuba Edgunlu, and Emrah Dogan.
• Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2022 Nov 1; 32 (11): 1448-1453.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the function of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with emphysema.Study DesignObservational study.Place And Duration Of StudyDepartment of Pulmonology, Mugla Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, from January to March 2022.MethodologyThirty COPD patients and thirty healthy volunteers were included. Demographic data, pack-year of cigarette, spirometric values, and emphysema percentage (calculated with CT scan) were recorded. mTOR, raptor, and deptor were measured with ELISA method. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05.ResultsThe mean value of mTOR in the COPD group was 3.48±2.01 ng/ml and it was significantly higher than the control (1.51±0.44 ng/ml). The mTOR was positively correlated with MMRC, annual exacerbation rate, emphysema percentage, and pack/year of cigarette and negatively correlated with SpO2 and FEV1. The significant relationship was found with only emphysema (B=0.067, SE=0.020, 95% CI=0.027-0.107, p=0.002). The cut-off value of mTOR for COPD was found as 1.815 ng/ml (sensivity=77%).ConclusionOverexpression of mTOR and its signalling proteins have a significant role in emphysema development. Reduction of mTOR expression/activity might be helpful to control dyspnea severity, number of exacerbations, loss of FEV1, and progression of emphysema.Key WordsCOPD, Emphysema, mTOR.

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