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Nutritional supplements and plasma antioxidants in childhood asthma

Elisabeth Fabian1, Peter Pölöskey, Lajos Kósa

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria. elisabeth.fabian@medunigraz.at

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|May 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Nutritional supplements may improve antioxidant levels and reduce airway inflammation in children with atopic asthma. Supplement intake positively influenced vitamin E, selenium, and nitric oxide levels in asthmatic children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Atopic asthma in children is associated with altered systemic oxidative stress and reduced plasma antioxidant levels.
  • Understanding the role of antioxidants and the impact of nutritional supplements is crucial for managing pediatric asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma antioxidants, airway inflammation, and systemic oxidative stress in children with atopic asthma.
  • To evaluate the influence of nutritional supplement intake on these parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed plasma levels of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and selenium in 35 asthmatic children and 21 controls.
  • Measured fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as an indicator of airway inflammation.
  • Utilized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), photometry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for analyses.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children exhibited significantly lower plasma levels of vitamins A and E, selenium, coenzyme Q10, and TAC, along with higher MDA and FeNO levels compared to controls.
  • Regular intake of nutritional supplements positively modulated vitamin E, selenium, TAC, MDA, and FeNO in asthmatic children.
  • Significant negative associations were found between vitamin E and MDA, and vitamin E and FeNO in asthmatics.

Conclusions:

  • Nutritional supplements appear to beneficially modulate plasma antioxidants in children with atopic asthma.
  • These modulations may positively influence systemic redox balance and pulmonary inflammation.
  • Findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for nutritional interventions in pediatric asthma management.
Abstract

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