title: Serum Telomerase Levels and COPD Exacerbations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To our knowledge, there is no study on the level of telomerase in subjects with COPD during an exacerbation period. The objective of this work was to compare lipid peroxidation, telomerase, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and malondialdehyde levels in asymptomatic smokers and subjects with COPD exacerbation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 45 subjects with COPD exacerbation and 42 healthy subjects with tobacco use as a control group. Samples were taken from blood and after the serum levels of telomerase malondialdehyde, Cu, and Zn were measured, the values were compared between the 2 groups. Tests for respiratory function were performed, and sedimentation and C-reactive protein levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The COPD exacerbation group had a significantly (P < .001) lower Cu/Zn ratio compared with the control group; however, the COPD exacerbation group had significantly (P < .001) higher levels of telomerase malondialdehyde, Cu, and Zn compared with the control group. Malondialdehyde, Cu, Zn, and FEV1 were found negatively correlated in the COPD exacerbation and control groups (P < .001). The COPD exacerbation group had lower FEV1 and FVC compared with the control group. The COPD exacerbation group had significantly (P < .001) higher levels of C-reactive protein and a higher blood cell sedimentation rate compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reason why the subjects had a reduced Cu/Zn ratio and increased levels of telomerase, Cu, and Zn is likely to be oxidative stress, which can be defined as an increased exposure to oxidants and/or decreased antioxidant capacities It is obvious from this study that lung oxidant-antioxidant balance is abnormal in subjects with COPD exacerbation and also that the increased level of telomerase is associated with this imbalance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases fulsenbatmaz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fulsen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bozkus
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Kahramanmaras Pazarcık State Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Secıl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sımsek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D019098:Telomerase / Q000097:blood*; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003300:Copper; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019098:Telomerase; D015032:Zinc
keywords: COPD; copper; exacerbation; telomerase; zinc