Decreased serum level of apelin-36 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: The Apelin is a kind of adipokines that its anti-inflammatory role is proved in some studies, but its effect on develoment of choronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not yet certain. The aim of this study was to determine the serum apelin-36 level in COPD patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 COPD patients and 40 healthy controls (20 smoker and 20 non-smoker) from January to September, 2017 in the Beesat clinic, Kerman, Iran. Demographic and clinical charastractistics (age, sex, smoking statuse, COPD and severity of disease) were collected. the serum apelin-36 level of subjects was measured by human ELISA assay kits. Results: The most subjects were male (n=56, 70%) and the mean (SD) age (Year) of them was 55.83 ±11.9 (Range= 40 to 85). The mean (SD) apelin level (mol/L) was 38.40 ±26.9. COPD patients had lower serum apelin-36 level versus healthy non smoker controls (P=0.01), but there was no significant difference in serum apelin-36 level between COPD patients and healthy somker group (P=0.09). The result showed that in COPD group, the apelin serum level was not changed by theseverity of disease (P=0.12) Conclusion: The serum apelin-36 level was lower in COPD patients and because these patients are usually cigarette smoker, it may show that cigarette smoking can decrease serum apelin-36 level and contribute to acceleration of inflammatory process and developing COPD. According to our findings, decearsed serum apelin-36 level can be considered as a biomarker for COPD development.

Keywords:

Apelin , COPD , Iran , Smoking.