Cross-sectional associations of pulmonary function with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury
Model System:
SCIReference Type:
JournalAccession No.:
J76022Journal:
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine - JSCM (formerly Journal of the American Paraplegia Society)
Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):
, 39, 3, 344-352Publication Website:
Abstract:
Study evaluated the associations of biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and novel markers of global oxidative stress with spirometric and lung volume measures in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Systemic inflammation, and to a lesser extent oxidative stress, have been associated with reduced pulmonary function. One-hundred thirty-seven men with chronic SCI provided a blood sample, completed health questionnaires, and underwent pulmonary function testing, including helium dilution measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC). Outcomes measures included: percent-predicted forced vital capacity in one second (FEV1), percent-predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, percent-predicted residual volume, percent-predicted FRC, and percent-predicted total lung capacity. General linear models were used to model associations between increasing quartiles of inflammation or oxidative stress with each outcome measure. After adjustment for a number of confounders, participants with higher levels of CRP and IL-6 had lower percent-predicted FEV1 and FVC measurements. There were no clear patterns of association with any of the oxidative stress biomarkers or other outcome measures. Results of this study indicated that increased systemic inflammation was associated with reductions in FEV1 and FVC independent of a number of covariates (SCI level and severity, doctor-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, body mass index, cigarette smoking, and statin use). Although the mechanism is uncertain, these findings suggest that reductions in pulmonary function in SCI are associated with systemic inflammation. However, there were no consistent associations between pulmonary function measures and biomarkers of global oxidative stress.