Involvement of Plasmatic Factors in the Peripheral Muscle Dysfunction of COPD Patients - In Vitro Study

Involvement of Plasmatic Factors in the Peripheral Muscle Dysfunction of COPD Patients - In Vitro Study

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Patients is a defined by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the lung to noxious particles or gases. It is associated with an atrophy of the skeletal muscle that impairs the patient's prognosis. The biological mechanisms of this muscle atrophy have not been elucidated, and the "spill-over theory" has recently emerged. Indeed, in COPD patients, the pulmonary inflammation is associated with a systemic low-grade inflammation, and the increased pro-inflamatory molelcules in the blood - which constitute the cellular micro-environement of the muscle fibre - could activate the mechanisms of the cell atrophy.

Inclusion Criteria:

35 to 85 years old

• COPD patients: association of symtoms (breathlessness, cough, sputum) and chronic exposure to inhalated risk factors (like tobacco smoke) and a FEV1/VC ratio <70% assessed by a spirometry
• Healthy subjects: A sedentariness assessed by a Voorrips score <9.4 and/or a report of <150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

Exclusion Criteria:

• A recent COPD exacerbation (< 4weeks)
• The decompensation of a comorbidity
• An antioxidant supplementation or medication
• A long-term systemic corticosteroid medication