EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI SEROPOSITIVITY ON RESPIRATORY EFFICIENCY IN ATHLETES WITH MILD TO MODERATE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) seropositivity on respiratory function in athletes diagnosed with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), focusing on serum cytokines IL-6, IL-17, and anti-Hp-IgG levels and their correlations with pulmonary function. Methods: Utilizing the GOLD guidelines for COPD diagnosis, 31 stable COPD patients (20 males, 11 females, average age 62.74±4.27) were assessed alongside 30 healthy volunteers (18 males, 12 females, average age 61.97±3.16) as controls. All participants underwent pulmonary function tests, after which 5ml of venous blood was drawn. Serum was isolated and stored at -70°C for subsequent analysis of anti-Hp-IgG, IL-6, and IL-17 levels. Results: The study found significantly higher serum anti-Hp-IgG levels in COPD patients, with a negative correlation between anti-Hp-IgG levels and FEV1% predicted (r=-0.662, P<0.001). Similarly, elevated levels of IL-17 were observed, which were positively correlated with anti-Hp-IgG (r=0.671, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with FEV1% predicted (r=-0.615, P<0.001). IL-6 levels were higher in COPD patients but did not show a significant correlation with anti-Hp-IgG levels or FEV1% predicted. Conclusion: The presence of Hp infection in athletes with COPD is associated with increased levels of IL-6 and IL-17, indicating an enhanced inflammatory response that may worsen pulmonary function. The negative impact of IL-17 on lung function highlights its role in the pathogenesis of COPD in the context of Hp infection. This interaction suggests that managing Hp infection in athletes might be crucial for maintaining optimal respiratory health and preventing the progression of COPD. Further studies are encouraged to explore targeted therapies that address this specific inflammatory pathway in athlete populations with COPD.