Physical activity counteracts increased whole-body protein breakdown in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased whole body protein breakdown and low-grade systemic inflammation. We aimed to determine if physical training of patients with COPD induces anti-inflammatory effects and decreases whole-body protein breakdown. Nineteen subjects with severe (FEV(1)=31+/-1) COPD were randomized into a training group (n=9) and a control group (n=10). Twenty healthy subjects were studied for baseline comparison. The "COPD training" group participated in an outpatient rehabilitation program consisting of endurance training (walking at 85% of VO(2max)) twice weekly for 7 weeks plus daily home-based training. Maximum walking distance increased by almost 70% in the training group after 7 weeks of training. At baseline, the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-18 in plasma were increased in subjects with COPD compared with healthy subjects (P<0.05) and leucine rate of appearance (R(a)) was approximately 15% greater (P<0.05) in subjects with COPD. Training had no effect on the plasma concentration of inflammatory markers but decreased leucine R(a) in subjects with COPD by approximately 10% (P<0.05). In conclusion, 7 weeks of physical training markedly improved endurance in patients with COPD and accelerated whole-body protein breakdown in patients with COPD was attenuated by physical training independent of changes in inflammatory markers.
Petersen
A M W
AM
Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Mittendorfer
B
B
Magkos
F
F
Iversen
M
M
Pedersen
B K
BK
D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000032:analysis; D007930:Leucine / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020382:Interleukin-18; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007930:Leucine