Background One essential element of the extracellular matrix is hyaluronic acid (HA). It has been claimed that HA
and its metabolism are different in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The
present study investigated the predictive significance of serum level of HA in patients with COPD and monitored
changes in its level in these patients because of therapy.
Methods HA was assessed in 60 patients with stable COPD (divided into subgroups I and II) and 20 healthy controls
and then repeated after 3 and 6 months in COPD patients.
Results Most of the patients were males (63.3%), and their ages ranged from 30 to 90. The serum level of HA was significantly increased in subgroups I and II (269.33±4, 290±4, respectively), compared to the control group (147.5±1)
with a significant difference in its level between both (p |
