Science and Research

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 and cardiovascular function in COPD

INTRODUCTION: The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is frequent and might be inter-related through inflammation-related processes reflected by specific markers. Here, we studied angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), an upcoming cardiovascular marker, in stable COPD, and its relationship to cardiovascular function with respect to well-known CVD risk factors. METHODS: In a prospective COPD cohort study, we investigated serum ANGPTL4 levels, vascular status (ankle-brachial index (ABI)) and cardiac function (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)) as well as airflow limitation, objectively measured physical activity, the metabolic syndrome, high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other CVD risk factors at 2 time points. We initially studied 74 stable COPD patients and 18 controls. For internal validation, we additionally studied 160 COPD patients of a former visit. RESULTS: ANGPTL4 was significantly elevated in COPD patients compared with controls (p=0.026). After correction for traditional CVD risk factors, including hs-CRP, higher levels of ANGPTL4 were independently associated with lower ABI (p=0.023) and higher NT-proBNP (p<0.001). These findings were confirmed in the internal validation analysis, which included echocardiographic assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ANGPTL4 is independently associated with cardiovascular function in COPD and might qualify as a biomarker reflecting a pathogenic link between COPD and CVD.
  • Waschki, B.
  • Kirsten, A. M.
  • Holz, O.
  • Meyer, T.
  • Lichtinghagen, R.
  • Rabe, K. F.
  • Magnussen, H.
  • Welte, T.
  • Watz, H.
  • Janciauskiene, S.

Keywords

  • COPD AU Mechanisms
  • Systemic disease and lungs
Publication details
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000161
Journal: BMJ open respiratory research
Pages: e000161 
Number: 1
Work Type: Original
Location: ARCN, BREATH
Disease Area: COPD
Partner / Member: Ghd, ITEM, MHH
Access-Number: 27933182
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