Study uses metabolomics to identify novel diagnostic markers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

 Credit: Dr. Dr. Tiantian Zhang and Dr. Hongmei Zhao from Peking Union Medical College (ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2772558823000579-gr2.jpg)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease with irreversible airflow limitation and a leading cause of death worldwide. COPD is characterized by chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is associated with malnutrition, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infection. Although pulmonary tests are considered as the gold standard for COPD diagnosis, they cannot detect early stages of COPD, leading to underdiagnosis. This emphasizes the need for specific biomarkers for early diagnosis, classification, and clinical interventions.

Recent studies suggested that changes in lipids, amino acids, glucose, nucleotides, and microbial metabolites in lungs and intestine can effectively diagnose early COPD. Metabolomics, a discipline that analyzes different metabolites from body fluids, has emerged as a prominent technique for COPD assessment. However, there are no studies that identify and summarize the metabolites that significantly change during COPD.

A recent review by Dr. Wenqian Wu, Dr. Zhiwei Li, Dr. Tiantian Zhang, and Dr. Hongmei Zhao from the Peking Union Medical College, along with Dr. Yongqiang Wang from 302 Hospital of China Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, and Dr. Chuan Huang at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, provided an in-depth account of the advances in metabolomics of COPD over the last five years, highlighting some potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

By Cactus Communications

Article can be accessed on: MedicalXpress