Objective: To explore the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: Bronchial biopsies and blood specimens were obtained from 8 smokers with stable COPD (COPD group) and 8 nonsmokers with normal lung function (control group). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR in nucleus protein of bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte from these two groups were examined by Western blot.
Results: The expressions of GCR in nuclear protein of peripheral blood lymphocyte and the bronchial biopsies, especially in bronchi, were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05, P <0.01). Also, the expressions of NF-kappaB in nuclear proteins of the bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte were significantly higher in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR were significantly higher in bronchial biopsies than in peripheral blood lymphocyte in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).
Conclusion: Chronic inflammation, especially airway inflammation, still exists in patients with stable COPD, as suggested by the different expressions of GCR and NF-kappaB between COPD patients and normal controls.