Abstract
Respiratory diseases, particularly COPD, set a significant place in the disability of Ukrainian population. In the industrial regions of the country considerable place in disability structure sets occupational COPD. Occupational and non-occupational COPD have their peculiarities of the course, particularly at the biochemical level.
In order to identify biochemical differences between patients with COPD and occupational COPD we examined 32 patients with occupational COPD (group 1) and 32 patients with non-occupational COPD (group 2). These groups of patients were comparable in all major characteristics. The control group consisted of 30 healthy individuals.
Study of biochemical homeostasis of patients showed a significant decrease of albumin and a significant reduction of α1-globulin level in patients of 2nd group compared with the 1st and the control groups, that shows the prevalence of catabolism due to the long course of chronic inflammation in broncho-pulmonary system and failure of α1-antitrypsin synthesis in these patients. Also it was shown increasing levels of α2-globulin and β-globulins in patients of the 2nd group compared with the groups 1st and control, indicating expressed activity of systemic inflammation; increased γ-globulins level demonstrates a greater intensity of immune processes. All the correlations were significant with p <0.01.
The results suggest a more pronounced shift of protein metabolism in patients with non-occupational COPD, the prevalence of catabolic processes, active systemic inflammation and intensification of immune processes. This may indicate the need of including anti-inflammatory drugs in the rehabilitation of such patients.
- © 2011 ERS
