Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in COPD

Deniz Bilici

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Inflamation; Oxidative Stress; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; COPD

Treatments: Behavioral: Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07376161

23.10.2025 2025/0255;

Details and patient eligibility

About

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by persistent airflow limitation, chronic inflammation, and increased oxidative stress. Despite optimal pharmacological treatment, many patients continue to experience symptoms, reduced exercise capacity, and frequent exacerbations. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention that improves symptoms, functional capacity, quality of life, and survival in patients with COPD; however, its biological effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways remain insufficiently defined.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with stable COPD. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and the epithelial alarmin IL-33, which is released in response to airway epithelial injury, as well as NRF-2 gene and/or protein expression as a key regulator of antioxidant defense, will be measured before and after a standardized pulmonary rehabilitation program. By assessing changes in these biomarkers, this study seeks to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation exerts disease-modifying effects beyond symptomatic improvement and functional outcomes.

The findings are expected to provide novel insights into the biological mechanisms of pulmonary rehabilitation and to support its role as a targeted, cost-effective intervention in the comprehensive management of COPD.

Enrollment: 27 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 40-80 years with a diagnosis of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Airflow limitation defined according to GOLD criteria (FEV₁/FVC < 70% and FEV₁ < 70% predicted)
• Former smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack-years
• Clinically stable disease at the time of enrollment
• Ability and willingness to participate in the pulmonary rehabilitation program
• Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Current smokers
• History of acute COPD exacerbation or respiratory infection within the past 6 weeks
• Presence of other chronic lung diseases (e.g., bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, asthma)
• Active malignancy
• Severe or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, including recent acute myocardial infarction or malignant arrhythmias
• Neurological, orthopedic, or psychiatric conditions that preclude objective functional assessment or participation in exercise training
• Use of antioxidant or vitamin supplementation within the past 4 weeks
• Determination by a cardiologist that participation in an exercise-based rehabilitation program is not medically appropriate