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Plasma sphingolipids, lung function and COPD: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

TitlePlasma sphingolipids, lung function and COPD: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsGharib, AR, Jensen, PN, Psaty, BM, Hoofnagle, AN, Siscovick, D, Gharib, SA, Sitlani, CM, Sotoodehnia, N, Lemaitre, RN
JournalERJ Open Res
Volume9
Issue2
Date Published2023 Mar
ISSN2312-0541
Abstract<p><b>RATIONALE: </b>COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Sphingolipids, structural membrane constituents that play a role in cellular stress and apoptosis signalling, may be involved in lung function.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>In the Cardiovascular Health Study, a prospective cohort of older adults, we cross-sectionally examined the association of plasma levels of 17 sphingolipid species with lung function and COPD. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate associations of sphingolipid concentrations with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) and odds of COPD, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Of the 17 sphingolipids evaluated, ceramide-18 (Cer-18) and sphingomyelin-18 (SM-18) were associated with lower FEV values (-0.061 L per two-fold higher Cer-18, p=0.001; -0.092 L per two-fold higher SM-18, p=0.002) after correction for multiple testing. Several other associations were significant at a 0.05 level, but did not reach statistical significance after correction for multiple testing. Specifically, Cer-18 and SM-18 were associated with higher odds of COPD (odds ratio per two-fold higher Cer-18 1.29, p=0.03 and SM-18 1.73, p=0.008). Additionally, Cer-16 and SM-16 were associated with lower FEV values, and Cer-14, SM-14 and SM-16 with a higher odds of COPD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>In this large cross-sectional study, specific ceramides and sphingomyelins were associated with reduced lung function in a population-based study. Future studies are needed to examine whether these biomarkers are associated with longitudinal change in FEV within individuals or with incident COPD.</p>
DOI10.1183/23120541.00346-2022
Alternate JournalERJ Open Res
PubMed ID37020834
PubMed Central IDPMC10068528
ePub date: 
23/04