Role of neopterin among COPD patients
Abstract Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. It is the fourth leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD is characterized by a specific pattern of inflammation involving many cells and mediators. Neopterin serves as a marker of systemic immune activation, which is of importance in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases. Aim of the work This study was conducted to elucidate the role of neopterin in the pathogenesis of COPD. Methods 55 COPD patients and 20 healthy control subjects of similar age and sex were included in the study. Neopterin levels in the serum and sputum samples were measured in all subjects. Results The mean values of neopterin in the serum (20.34 4.70 nmol/l) and sputum (32.07 8.14 nmol/l) samples of COPD patients were significantly higher than the mean values of neopterin in the serum and sputum samples of control subjects (6.27 3.35 nmol/l and 4.13 2.25 nmol/l respectively) p p p value p value Conclusions This study found increased neopterin serum and sputum levels among COPD patients and suggests a role for neopterin in the pathogenesis of COPD. We recommend larger studies to support our results.