Lung inflammation in COPD is reduced with a form of vitamin B3

Oral supplementation with nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, helped reduce markers of lung inflammation in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), data from a placebo-controlled study shows. The benefits were sustained for at least three months after supplementation ended. These findings are “significant, because inflammation…

Mepolizumab reduces exacerbations in COPD with type 2 inflammation

Adding GSK’s mepolizumab to standard inhaled treatment reduces the frequency of moderate to severe exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with type 2 inflammation, which contributes to lung inflammation. That’s according to top-line data from a Phase 3 clinical trial called MATINEE (NCT04133909) announced by GSK…

Can an anti-inflammatory diet help me manage COPD?

I have embarked on a quest to reduce inflammation in my body, which is largely a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and aging. My latest effort is implementing an anti-inflammatory diet. When I was younger, anti-aging efforts revolved around preventing wrinkles and changes in body shape. But…

MgIG-Salmeterol Combo Fares Well in Rat Study

Salmeterol, combined with the root extract derivative magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), eased the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats, a study demonstrated. Salmeterol-MgIG combination therapy was more effective than the approved salmeterol-fluticasone combination in improving lung function and reducing inflammation. The researchers suggested…

Fibrinogen Protein Levels May Help Predict Exacerbation Outcomes

Levels of the protein fibrinogen in the blood can be used to assess inflammation and the risk of non-invasive ventilation failure during acute exacerbations in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study. Fibrinogen is an inflammation-associated protein that is known as a biomarker for…

New Atlas of COPD Lung Cells May Help Advance Treatments

A team of researchers have created a comprehensive blueprint of cells that are in the lungs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, which helped them identify previously unknown cell subpopulations and changes in gene activity and cellular interactions. “Our analysis identified novel changes in gene expression [activity] and…

Anti-inflammatory Compound MgIG Eases COPD Symptoms in Rat Model

An anti-inflammatory compound used in China to help treat liver disease — known as magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) — eased the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reducing inflammation in the lungs, a study in a rat disease model reported. “These findings suggest MgIG might be an alternative for…

Preventing Certain Type of Cell Death May Help Treat COPD

Preventing a specific type of cell death, called necroptosis, may provide a new way of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to data from a recent study. Patients with COPD have elevated levels of necroptosis, the study revealed. Stopping that type of cell death leads to significant reductions…