Regulation of skeletal muscle oxidative phenotype by hypoxia - implications for COPD

Many people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have not only low oxygen levels, but also impaired muscle function, which reduces their ability to perform daily activities. It is common knowledge that in advanced stages of COPD, the energy balance is disturbed. This doctoral research project studied the possibility of hypoxia causing these disturbances. First, it was shown that muscle metabolism is disturbed even in patients suffering from mild to moderate COPD and moderate hypoxia, although to a lesser extent than in patients suffering from advanced COPD. Next, experimental models showed that hypoxia does have the potential to cause these metabolic disturbances. They also showed the molecular mechanisms underlying this process.