title: Changes of HMGB1 and sRAGE during the recovery of COPD exacerbation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with increased airway and systemic inflammation. However, the correlation between acute exacerbation/convalescence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and simultaneous changes of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels has not been clearly clarified. The aim of this study was to assess these issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 44 COPD patients were recruited. Following a structured interview, plasma levels of HMGB1, sRAGE, fibrinogen and serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) within 24 h of hospitalization and pre-discharge (convalescence). All patients were examined with spirometry in convalescence of COPD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decline in plasma HMGB1 (P<0.01), sRAGE (P<0.05), fibrinogen (P<0.01) and serum hsCRP (P<0.01) levels from acute exacerbation to convalescence phase of COPD. Changes of sRAGE was significantly correlated with changes of HMGB1 (r=0.4, P=0.007). COPD disease status correlated with the ratio of HMGB1/sRAGE, but not gender, age, course of disease, smoking history and FEV1% pred. Levels of HMGB1 and sRAGE were the highest in the current smoker group, and significantly decreased in ex-smoker group in both acute exacerbation and convalescence phase of COPD, however, their levels in never smoker group were higher than ex-smoker group in either phase of COPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HMGB1 and sRAGE levels were dynamically changed between exacerbation and convalescence phase of COPD, HMGB1 and sRAGE were likely not only a potential marker in COPD exacerbation but also a therapeutic target for COPD treatment.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Yonghong
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Shaojun
authors: S
authors: Li
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Guizuo
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Dong
authors: D
authors: Han
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Xinming
authors: X
authors: Xie
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Yuanyuan
authors: Y
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Xu
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Jiamei
authors: J
authors: Lu
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Fengjuan
authors: F
authors: Li
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
authors: Manxiang
authors: M
authors: Li
keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); biomarker; convalescence; exacerbation; high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1); soluble RAGE (sRAGE)