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Systemic transsulfuration pathway thiol concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Author(s) -
Zinellu Angelo,
Zinellu Elisabetta,
Sotgiu Elisabetta,
Fois Alessandro G.,
Paliogiannis Panagiotis,
Scano Valentina,
Piras Barbara,
Sotgia Salvatore,
Mangoni Arduino A.,
Carru Ciriaco,
Pirina Pietro
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.13267
Subject(s) - transsulfuration , oxidative stress , homocysteine , copd , medicine , inflammation , glutathione , kynurenine , endocrinology , hyperhomocysteinemia , cystathionine beta synthase , chemistry , biochemistry , cysteine , tryptophan , amino acid , enzyme
Background It is amply reported that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent evidence suggests that COPD patients have elevated concentrations of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a transsulfuration pathway analyte that is commonly regarded as a CVD risk factor. Design We comprehensively investigated the plasma concentrations of transsulfuration pathway analytes, and their relationship with markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, to identify which low molecular thiols might play a pathophysiological role both in CVD and in COPD. Hcy, cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), cysteinylglycine (CysGly), glutamylcysteine (GluCys), taurine (Tau), oxidative stress markers (TBARS and protein‐SH, PSH) and the inflammation marker kynurenine/tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio were measured in 54 COPD patients and 54 control subjects. Results We found increased concentrations of total Hcy ( P < .01) and total CysGly ( P < .05) in COPD patients when compared to controls. Total Hcy and CysGly were also significantly associated with abnormal lung function parameters and COPD severity. In COPD patients, total Hcy was significantly associated with the Kyn/Trp ratio ( P = .0017) whereas total CysGly was significantly associated with both PSH ( P = .0298) and the Kyn/Trp ratio ( P = <.0001). Conclusion Both total Hcy and CysGly concentrations were significantly associated with the presence and severity of COPD and with markers of oxidative stress (total CysGly) and inflammation (total Hcy and CysGly). This suggests that specific low molecular mass thiols might play a role in the inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways involved in both CVD and COPD.