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Antioxidants and oxidative stress in BAL fluid of atopic asthmatic children

Bettina C Schock1, Ian S Young, Vanessa Brown

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland, UK.

Pediatric Research
|February 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Oxidative stress markers in the airways of children with asthma were similar to non-asthmatic children. However, airway inflammation correlated with increased protein oxidation in asthmatic children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Biochemistry
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Previous studies in adults suggest increased oxidative stress in asthma.
  • Oxidative stress may play a role in airway inflammation and damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare antioxidant and protein carbonyl concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic children with non-asthmatic children.
  • To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress markers, airway inflammation, and lipid peroxidation in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Collected BALF and plasma from clinically stable atopic asthmatic children (n=78) and compared with reference intervals for non-asthmatic children (n=124).
  • Measured concentrations of ascorbate, urate, alpha-tocopherol, protein carbonyls, and malondialdehyde in BALF.
  • Assessed plasma antioxidants including retinol, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and lycopene.
  • Correlated BALF protein carbonyls with eosinophils, mast cells, and macrophages.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were found in BALF concentrations of ascorbate, urate, alpha-tocopherol, or protein carbonyls between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.
  • BALF protein carbonyl concentrations correlated significantly with eosinophils, mast cells, and macrophages in asthmatic children.
  • Significant correlation observed between oxidized proteins and lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) in asthmatic children.
  • Serum alpha-carotene was significantly reduced in asthmatic children compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Airway inflammation in pediatric asthma, indicated by increased eosinophils, may be associated with increased protein oxidation.
  • While systemic antioxidant levels were largely similar, localized airway oxidative stress markers did not differ significantly between groups in stable asthmatic children.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of oxidative stress in pediatric asthma pathogenesis.

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