Assessment of endothelial dysfunction in COPD patients with different types of microcirculation disorders

A characteristic feature of COPD is systemic inflammation. The migration of neutrophils from the bloodstream in the center of inflammation is regulated by a number of adhesion molecules. The aim of the study was to determine the amount of protein markers of endothelial dysfunction in the blood of patients with moderate and severe COPD, with different types of disturbances of the microcirculation: predominantly upper lungs, lower lungs, diffuse type. Materials and methods: 114 males from 53 to 70 years old; 54 with moderate COPD, 60 patients with a severe course were examined by means of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The level of adhesion molecules was detected by ELISA method. Results: In all patients, regardless of the severity of the process and the type disturbances of microcirculation, increase of endothelin index (p Conclusion: With the progression of the inflammatory process the number of endothelial dysfunction marker proteins is increasing in patients with lower lobe and diffuse type, characterized with increased production and release of several adhesion molecules and increase of endothelial dysfunction.