[Antioxidant effect of laser irradiation in chronic bronchitis]

The levels of medium-weight molecules and the parameters of lipid peroxidation (antioxidative defence) were studied in 64 patients with chronic bronchitis (33 with chronic pyoobstructive bronchitis and 31 with nonobstructive bronchitis). There was a substantial increase in the concentrations of lipid peroxides, malonic dialdehyde, and medium-weight molecules in the blood and a considerable decrease in its levels of vitamin E and the enzyme catalase. To correct the above disorders, the author used the conventional therapy alone or in combination with endobronchial laser radiation. The results of treatment, which were assessed by the end of 3rd and 6th weeks of its initiation, only does a combination of traditional therapy and laser radiation provides a balance of the lipid peroxidation balance--antioxidative defence followed by its stabilization by the end of week 6 of treatment.