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. 2024 Jul 1;41(4):259-264.
doi: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_395_23. Epub 2024 Jun 28.

Evaluation of alpha-defensins as a marker of severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Kritika Kumar  1 , Komaldeep Kaur  1 , Shivani Jaswal  2 , Deepak Aggarwal  1 , Varinder Saini  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of alpha-defensins as a marker of severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Kritika Kumar et al. Lung India. .

Abstract

Background: Defensins are key effector molecules of innate immunity that can contribute towards the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study was conducted to investigate the role of alpha-defensins in patients with COPD by quantifying serum and sputum samples.

Methods: A total of 180 patients were enrolled and divided into four groups, and sputum and serum values of alpha-defensins were assessed. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sputum alpha-defensin as a diagnostic biomarker were evaluated to assess its utility in diagnosing COPD.

Results: The mean value of sputum alpha-defensins was found to be statistically significant amongst the four groups (P < 0.001). The highest levels were found in subjects with AECOPD (385.76 ± 116.62 ng/mL). Sputum alpha-defensins were found to be negatively correlated with FEV 1 values (rho = -0.31, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Sputum alpha-defensins can be used as a potential marker for predicting acute exacerbation of COPD. In addition, they could serve as an indicator of disease severity in COPD patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation between FEV1 (observed) and alpha-defensin in serum and sputum (ng/mL) (n = 120)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between neutrophils (%) and sputum alpha-defensin (ng/mL) in (Diagnosis: COPD) (n = 80)
Figure 3
Figure 3
ROC curve analysis mapping the sputum alpha-defensin in the diagnosis of COPD
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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