Osteopontin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Smokers and ex-smokers

BackgroundCOPD is a widely distributed disease with high morbidity and mortality, associated with different pathologies. The link between osteopontin, smoking and COPD needs to be clarified.ObjectivesTo study the osteopontin serum levels in smoker COPD patients and ex-smoker COPD patients.MethodsSerum levels of osteopontin were measured in 38 male COPD patients divided into smoker and ex-smoker groups using human osteopontin ELISA kits.ResultsThere was a significant difference between smokers and ex-smokers regarding their serum osteopontin levels. There was no significant difference in serum osteopontin level between COPD patients regarding severity in both groups. There was a significant difference in serum osteopontin level between the smokers group regarding their pack year index of smoking. There was no significant difference in serum osteopontin level between ex-smokers group regarding the duration of cessation.ConclusionSerum level of osteopontin is increased in COPD patients and decreases with cessation of smoking. It has no relation to disease severity.