Higher Plasma Myostatin Levels in Cor Pulmonale Secondary to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Published in: PLoS ONE 2016, Vol.11 (3)
• Main Authors: Ju, Chun-rong, Chen, Miao, Zhang, Jian-heng, Lin, Zhi-ya, Chen, Rong-chang
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Chronic obstructive lung disease; Complications and side effects; Cor pulmonale; Myostatin; Risk factors
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150838

Objective To analyze plasma myostatin levels and investigate their relationship with right ventricular (RV) function in patients with cor pulmonale secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods The study recruited 81 patients with advanced COPD and 40 age-matched controls. The patients were divided into two groups: those with cor pulmonale and those without. Echocardiography was used to evaluate RV function and morphology, and the value of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) less than 16 mm was considered RV dysfunction. Plasma myostatin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were analyzed as a comparison of myostatin. Results The data detected cor pulmonale in 39/81 patients, with the mean value of TAPSE of 14.3 mm. Plasma myostatin levels (ng/mL) were significantly higher in patients with cor pulmonale (16.68 ± 2.95) than in those without (13.56 ± 3.09), and much higher than in controls (8.79±2.79), with each p