Are systemic inflammatory profiles different in patients with COPD and metabolic syndrome as compared to those with COPD alone?
Patients with COPD and MS have a more exacerbated systemic inflammatory profile and a significantly reduced specific adipose response represented by adiponectin than patients with COPD alone. These results help us to better understand the inflammatory pattern in patients with COPD with metabolic disorders and permit us to sustain the regulatory role of adiponectin in metabolism balance. It is possible that this association between COPD and MS with a specific inflammatory pattern (high serum levels of CRP and TNF-a but with low plasma levels of adiponectin) to explain the high rate of death adjudicated as due to cardiovascular causes.
Endothelial response towards chronic infections depends on intracellular iron levels. Iron status in populations positive for Cp or CMV infections should be considered as a potential determinant for the development of atherosclerosis.