[Comparison of adenosine deaminase serum level in COPD patients and healthy subjects]

ABSTRACT

Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [Gold] has defined COPD as a disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD is a subset of obstructive lung diseases which also includes cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and asthma. Adenosine deaminase [ADA, E.C.3.5.4.4] converts adenosine to inosine. ADA has two isoenzymes; ADA1 and ADA2. In COPD patients the serum level of ADA increases which can be regarded as a result of reduction in ADA activity. In this study we evaluated the level of ADA and its isoenzymes in COPD patients and healthy subjects. This was a case control study. ADA activity in 30 COPD patients with age range of 20-60 years whose disease had been confirmed by a pulmonologist in Ekbatan Hospital, was compared to the activity of the same enzyme in 60 healthy subjects consisting of 30 non smoker and 30 smoker subjects as control groups. Data were introduced into SPSS version.13 software and analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and two-way ANOVA tests. ADA activity in the COPD and smoker control groups was significantly lower than that of non smoker group [18.99 +/- 7 and 22.99 +/- 6.7 U/L, respectively]. Regarding ADA2 serum level, the difference between patient group and non smoker control group was significant [P<0.05]. Activity of ADA1 isoenzyme in the study groups did not show any significant differences. In general ADA activity was decreased in COPD patients. Decreased ADA activity together with increased adenosine level may play an important role in producing pulmonary damage in COPD patients