p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase is Not Activated in the Quadriceps of Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Quadriceps weakness is associated with a poor prognosis in COPD. Several data suggest that immobility and muscle wasting may be related through up-regulation of the p38 Mitogen associated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. We therefore hypothesised that this might occur in the quadriceps of COPD patients.