Systemic Endothelial Abnormalities in COPD

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Male subjects with COPD with FEV1/FVC<70%; predicted defined as either stage moderate GOLD II (n=15) and severe GOLD III (n=7) diagnosis according to GOLD criteria (Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD) or Male subjects who are age-matched non-smokers (n=8) and male smokers (n=8) with normal lung function (FEV1>80%, FEV1/FVC>70%, n=8)

  • Smokers:

An active smoker with a pack history of >10 pack years [number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) x number of years smoked]. Smokers need to report the time when last cigarette was smoked (no less than 6 hours before the study visit).

• Patients will be allowed to use their current anticholinergic bronchodilators and continue on the dose of inhaled corticosteroids they are currently using. However they should refrain from short and long-acting β2-agonists for 6 and 12 hours, respectively, before the study visit.
• Aged 40 80 years inclusive
• Body mass index within the range 19-32kg/m2 inclusive
• FEV1 <15% reversibility (not % predicted) and an increase of <200ml after inhaled β2-agonists (400μg salbutamol).
• Capable of giving informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.
• Subject is available to complete the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • As a result of the medical interview, physical examination or screening investigations, the Physician Responsible considers the volunteer unfit for the study.

  • The subject has participated in a study with a new molecular entity during the previous 3 months or any other clinical trial during the previous 3 months. In case of a non invasive, clinical trial not involving new molecular entities a 2 week washout will be sufficient
  • The subject regularly, or on average, drinks more than 21 units of alcohol per week.
  • The subject has received oral steroids within 2 weeks prior to study entry.
  • The subject has history of an upper respiratory infection (including sinusitis) within 2 weeks prior to study entry
  • The subject has been hospitalised for a COPD exacerbation within 1 month of study entry.