Serum metabolomics using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometry reveals the mechanism of action of exercise training on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats

Exercise training is the cornerstone component of pulmonary rehabilitation, which results in symptom-reducing, psychosocial, and health economic benefits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, the potential mechanisms of its action are poorly understood. This study conducted serum metabolomics using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometry to determine the metabolic changes in COPD rats, and the effects of exercise training on improvement in COPD were further investigated. Twelve differential metabolites—which are primarily related to tryptophan metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and lysine degradation—were identified in relation to COPD. After the intervention of exercise training, the levels of most metabolites were restored, and the changes in five metabolites were statistically significant, which suggested that exercise training provided effective protection against COPD and might play its role by rebalancing disordered metabolism pathways. This work enhanced our comprehension of the protective mechanism of exercise training on COPD.