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Systemic oxidative stress in asthma, COPD, and smokers
I Rahman1, D Morrison, K Donaldson
1Department of Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, Scotland, United Kingdom.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Smoking and respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma cause an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the blood. This imbalance is linked to increased oxidative stress, indicating a significant health concern for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pulmonology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is implicated in smokers and patients with airway diseases.
- Assessing plasma antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation products can indicate overall oxidative stress levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis of an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in smokers and patients with airways diseases.
- To measure plasma Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and lipid peroxidation products.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma TEAC and lipid peroxidation products in healthy smokers, non-smokers, and patients with COPD or asthma.
- Correlated neutrophil superoxide anion release with plasma antioxidant capacity in COPD exacerbations.
Main Results:
- Healthy smokers exhibited significantly reduced plasma TEAC and increased lipid peroxidation compared to non-smokers.
- Patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and asthma also showed low plasma TEAC and elevated lipid peroxidation.
- A strong negative correlation was observed between neutrophil superoxide anion release and plasma antioxidant capacity in COPD exacerbations.
Conclusions:
- Smoking, COPD exacerbations, and asthma are associated with a significant oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and increased oxidative stress.
- The mechanisms underlying decreased plasma antioxidant capacity may differ across smokers, COPD, and asthma patients.