Respiratory medicine
-
Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of whole body vibration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--a randomized controlled trial.
To date endurance and strength training are established and evidence-based exercise methods in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is an unmet need for further research in new and complementary exercise modalities. Additional whole body vibration training during pulmonary rehabilitation may be such a new approach that has not yet been investigated in patients with COPD. ⋯ WBV training seems to be a promising new exercise modality for patients with COPD and may enhance the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.
-
Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Alpha-1 antitrypsin is elevated in exhaled breath condensate and serum in exacerbated COPD patients.
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly contribute to COPD-related morbidity. Diagnosis of COPD exacerbations may be improved by analyzing biomarkers such as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). AAT is an acute-phase protein and inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. Deficiency of AAT may result in early-onset respiratory symptoms. Measurement of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method to investigate biomarkers present in the epithelial lining fluid, such as AAT. ⋯ AAT in EBC was detectable and quantifiable. AAT measured in EBC was significantly increased during exacerbations of COPD and can potentially be used as a biomarker in exacerbations.
-
Respiratory medicine · Jan 2012
Comparative StudySerum myostatin levels and skeletal muscle wasting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It is well confirmed that myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass and implicated in several diseases involved in muscle wasting and cachexia. Skeletal muscle wasting is an important systemic manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while the expression of circulating myostatin in COPD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of circulating myostatin and its relationship with skeletal muscle wasting in COPD. ⋯ This study demonstrates that circulating myostatin levels are elevated in COPD and related to SMM in male patients, suggesting that myostatin contributes to skeletal muscle wasting in COPD.
-
Respiratory medicine · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of adjunct fluticasone propionate on airway physiology during rest and exercise in COPD.
Combination therapy with corticosteroid and long-acting β(2)-agonists (LABA) in a single inhaler is associated with superior effects on airway function and exercise performance in COPD compared with LABA monotherapy. The physiological effects of adding inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy to maintenance bronchodilator therapy (long-acting anticholinergics and LABA singly or in combination) in COPD are unknown. ⋯ Inhaled FP500 monotherapy was associated with consistent and clinically important improvements in FEV(1), static lung volumes, dynamic operating lung volumes, and exercise endurance when added to established maintenance long-acting bronchodilator therapy in patients with moderate to severe COPD.