TY - JOUR T1 - Peripheral neutrophil stiffness in severe COPD exacerbations JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p732 AU - Ebymar Arismendi Núñez AU - Tomas Luque AU - Yolanda Torralba García AU - Alvar Agustí AU - Daniel Navajas AU - Roberto Rodríguez-Roisin Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p732.abstract N2 - Rationale: Exacerbations of COPD (EXCOPD) are characterized by activated pulmonary neutrophils (NEUT) with potentially increased cellular stiffness.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess NEUT stiffness in patients with COPD during and after exacerbations.Methods: 12 COPD patients (age, 70±9 yrs; 83% male; all smokers, 71±36 pack-yrs) hospitalized for EXCOPD were included. Stiffness of peripheral NEUT was assessed using the atomic force microscopy technique within the first 72 h of admission and 12 weeks after discharge (Study Group [SG]). If patients suffered a new episode within this period of follow-up, measurements were repeated at this time in point (mean, 7±4 weeks) (Re-exacerbation Group [RG]). The COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the ADO Index and dyspnoea (MMRC) were also assessed.Results: There were no differences on admission between the two subsets of patients. Increased NEUT stiffness in SG patients (n, 6) decreased from admission (890±293 Pa) to discharge (616±226 Pa) (p<0.05) compared to that measured in the RG subset (n, 6) (from 999±424 to 842±343 Pa). The ADO Index was associated with NEUT stiffness on admission in the two subsets of patients (r=0.60, p<0.05).Conclusions: Changes in peripheral NEUT stiffness during COPD exacerbations and convalescence indicate that the activation of NEUT underlies enhanced pulmonary inflammation.Supported by SEPAR-2010 and CIBERES ER -