Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activities in platelets from stable bronchial asthmatic patients

Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in platelets from stable bronchial asthmatic patients were measured using 2-methyl-6-[p-methoxyphenyl]-3,7- dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one as a chemiluminescence probe. Cu-Zn SOD activities in platelets from the asthmatics were significantly higher than those from normal healthy subjects. Platelet Cu-Zn SOD activities were significantly higher in atopic than in non-atopic asthmatics. There were no significant differences in platelet Cu-Zn SOD activities between aspirin-sensitive and aspirin-tolerant patients. These results suggest that an oxidant-to-antioxidant imbalance may play a role in the inflammatory situations in the airways of asthmatics.