Wang C, et al. - Researchers here sought to assess whether metabolic profiling of different high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) phenotypes of COPD patients before and after treatment could identify discriminatory metabolites that could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. For predicting the better response to the treatment with bronchodilator and corticosteroid, bronchial wall thickening in COPD could be an indicator. Further information was gained regarding different HRCT phenotypes and therapeutic assessment of COPD via the identification of metabolic alterations.