Measures of lung function and their relationship with advanced glycation end-products

Abstract

BackgroundAdvanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the association between AGE accumulation in the skin measured by skin autofluorescence (SAF) and lung function in healthy subjects has not been explored in detail. We use a population-based study of 50–64-year-olds to assess spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and impulse oscillometry (IOS) in relation to SAF.MethodsParticipants with information on SAF, lung function and potential confounding variables were included from the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study (SCAPIS) cohort (spirometry, n=4111; DLCO, n=3889; IOS, n=3970). Linear regression was used to assess changes in lung function (as measured by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC), DLCO and IOS (resistance measured at 5 (R5) and 20 Hz (R20), R5−R20, area of reactance, reactance measured at 5 Hz (X­5), and resonant frequency)) by a 1-sd increase in SAF.ResultsFEV1, FVC and DLCO were significantly and inversely associated with SAF after adjustment for potential confounding factors (per 1-sd increase in SAF: FEV1 −0.03 L (95% CI −0.04– −0.02 L), p<0.001; FVC −0.03 L (95% CI −0.05– −0.02 L), p<0.001; DLCO −0.07 mmol·min−1·kPa−1 (95% CI −0.11– −0.03 mmol·min−1·kPa−1), p<0.001). This association was also found in nonsmokers and in non-COPD subjects. Pulmonary reactance (X5) but not pulmonary resistance (R5, R20 and R5−R20) was significantly associated with SAF (per 1-sd increase in SAF: X5 −0.001 kPa·L−1·s (95% CI −0.003–0.00 kPa·L−1·s), p=0.042), which was mirrored in non-COPD patients but not in current nonsmokers.ConclusionsAGE accumulation, as measured by SAF, is significantly associated with lung function decrements indicative of changes in the lung parenchyma

Skin autofluorescence, a measure of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products, is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in coronary and carotid arteries

“…However, 17.1% of participants were current smokers in this study, which is comparable to the smoking prevalence in Sweden [45]. Lastly, the participants in this study were mainly Caucasian descent; the conclusions may not be generalizable to non-European ethnicities.…”

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products in skin and increased vascular ageing in the general population: the Malmö Offspring Study

“…Although the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood, there is also evidence suggesting that skin autofluorescence mirrors systemic nonenzymatic glycation processes. Our prior research has demonstrated a notable correlation between heightened AGE accumulation, quantified through skin autofluorescence, and discernible declines in lung function, signifying alterations in the lung parenchyma [ 39 ].…”

Skin autofluorescence: early sign of lung function deterioration?

“…Cigarette smoke accelerates skin ageing and contains glycotoxins that induce AGE formation [24]. Enhanced SAF has indeed been shown in smokers compared to nonsmokers [25,26], as did the study by ZAIGHAM et al [7]. Some studies particularly measured SAF in the non-dominant arm to limit external effects of smoking.…”

“…In the search for (noninvasive) biomarkers for COPD, studies have shown increased SAF in COPD as well, which inversely correlated with indices of lung function. In the current issue of ERJ Open Research , the study by Z aigham et al [ 7 ] is only the second to extend these findings into a population-based study, of mostly 50–64-year-olds.…”

“…Here, Z aigham et al [ 7 ] examined the relationship between SAF and detailed lung function measures using impulse oscillometry (IOS) and diffusing capacity in the population-based cohort SCAPIS (Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study). Subjects with SAF in the highest tertile were generally older, more likely to be current smokers, and represented a larger proportion of patients with COPD and diabetes, reflected by higher mean values of HbA1c, and lower mean values of spirometry and diffusing capacity.…”