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    Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2010 Mar;16(2):123-33.

    Structural and functional changes of peripheral muscles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

    Source

    ELEGI Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. roberto.rabinovich@ed.ac.uk

    Abstract

    PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

    The purpose of this review is to identify new advances in our understanding of skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    RECENT FINDINGS:

    Recent studies have confirmed the relevance of muscle dysfunction as an independent prognosis factor in COPD. Animal studies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms governing skeletal muscle hypertrophy/atrophy. Recent evidence in patients with COPD highlighted the contribution of protein breakdown and mitochondrial dysfunction as pathogenic mechanisms leading to muscle dysfunction in these patients.

    SUMMARY:

    COPD is a debilitating disease impacting negatively on health status and the functional capacity of patients. COPD goes beyond the lungs and incurs significant systemic effects among which muscle dysfunction/wasting is one of the most important. Muscle dysfunction is a prominent contributor to exercise limitation, healthcare utilization and an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. Gaining more insight into the molecular mechanisms leading to muscle dysfunction/wasting is key for the development of new and tailored therapeutic strategies to tackle skeletal muscle dysfunction/wasting in COPD patients.

    PMID:
    20071991
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    PMCID:
    PMC2920417
    Free PMC Article

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