Conclusions
Our study confirms literature data showing an involvement of serotonin in the pathogenesis of COPD, demonstrating a statistically significant increase of circulating serotonin levels in an early phase of the disease, and a relation with the worsening of the airway obstruction. Given the need of biomarkers useful to detect and monitor COPD and its response to treatments, this seems to be a promising result that need to be further investigated.
Abbreviations
5-HT: Serotonin; AUC: Area under the curve; BMI: Body mass index; CNS: Central nervous system; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in the 1st second; FVC: Forced vital capacity; MAO: Monoamine oxidase; MDA: Malondialdehyde; PSH: Protein sulfhydryl groups; ROC: Receiver operating characteristics; TBARS: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
Acknowledgements
Not applicable.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
The study was approved by the Institutional Local Ethics Committee (Azienda Sanitaria Locale n°1 di Sassari (Italy) (prot. 2175/CE del 21/04/2015), and was in accordance with the principles of Declaration of Helsinki. All subjects provided written informed consent.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
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BMC Pulm Med. 2018;18(167) © 2018 BioMed Central, Ltd.
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