Plasma orexin-A levels and body composition in COPD.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of orexins in regulating body composition in patients with COPD.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
We measured the plasma concentration of orexin-A in 20 patients with COPD and compared the results to those obtained from 10 age-matched control subjects. Patients with COPD were classified into two groups based on their body mass index (BMI): a normal weight (NW) group (BMI > 20) and an underweight (UW) group (BMI < 20).


RESULTS
The plasma orexin-A level was significantly lower in patients with COPD than in control subjects. In patients with COPD, the level was significantly lower in the UW group than in the NW group. Plasma orexin-A levels significantly correlated with BMI and fat mass values, but there was no significant relationship between plasma orexin-A levels and the fat-free mass of patients with COPD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that orexin-A levels are altered with weight loss and changes in body composition in patients with COPD.
Matsumura
Takeshi
T
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki, Japan.
Nakayama
Mika
M
Satoh
Hiroaki
H
Naito
Asuka
A
Kamahara
Kazuyuki
K
Sekizawa
Kiyohisa
K
D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D000068797:Orexins; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha