The Expression of NOX4 in Smooth Muscles of Small Airway Correlates with the Disease Severity of COPD

Figure 2

The correlation of the thickness or area of ASM and the progression and pulmonary function in COPD lungs. (a)-(b) The correlation of the COPD disease severity with ASM mass in small airway was evaluated by indexes of the percentages of the thickness (T)/external diameter (D) of ASM (WT%) and area of ASM/transverse area of small airway (WA%). (a) Values of WT% in small airways from indicated groups with different disease severities. (b) Values of WA% in small airways from indicated groups with different disease severities. (c)–(f) The correlation between the thickness or area of ASM and the pulmonary function in COPD patients. (c) The correlation between WT% and FEV1/FVC% (; ). (d) The correlation between WA% and FEV1/FVC% (; ). (e) The correlation between WT% and FEV1% pred (; ) and (f) the correlation between WA% and FEV1% pred (; ). The data showed a negative association of values of WA% and WT% with pulmonary function. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and -test for comparison between groups using the GraphPad Prism version 5 software. Data was presented as the mean ± SD. Spearman’s correlation coefficient and values are as indicated.

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