Serum heat shock protein levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic inflammation is present on airways of patients with stable COPD. Oxidative load is increased in both smokers and patients with COPD and oxidant-antioxidant imbalance plays a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. The aim of this study was determining the level of stress proteins secreted by various stress conditions [HSP27, HSP70, HSP60, HSP90, CyPA] and the relationship of stress proteins with various parameters (inflammatory, oxidative, functional status, quality of life) in COPD. Eighty persons included into the study; 16 healthy non-smokers (Group I), 14 healthy smokers (Group II) and 50 patients with stable COPD (Group III). The levels of HSP70 (p = 0.113), HSP90 (p = 0.833), HSP60 (p = 0.133), and CyPA (p = 0.699) did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups. While the level of HSP27 showed no statistically significant difference between group I and group II, it was significantly higher in group III when compared with both group I and group II (for both, p <0.001) . There was no statistically significant difference in the serum IL-6 levels between the groups (p = 0.437). While there was no significant difference in the CRP levels between group I and group II (p=0.737), it was significantly higher in group III when compared with group II (p<0.001) and group I (p <0.001). While there was no significant difference in the MDA levels between group I and group II (p=0.306), it was statistically higher in group III compared with group I (p<0.001) and group II (p <0.001). As a conclusion, determining the increased HSP27 levels in COPD patients suggests that HSP27 may have a role in the pathogenesis of COPD associated with inflammation and hypoxia. In addition, HSP27 may be an indicator associated with patient's functional status, quality of life and duration of illness. Keywords: COPD, HSP, CyPA, oxidative stress.