Objective: Airway inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and this is thought to be related to faster decrease in lung functions. Systemic markers of oxidative stress include nitric oxide (NO) and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), while antioxidant markers are erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathionperoxidase (GSH-Px). We investigated the relationship between levels of systemic oxidative/antioxidant markers and functional parameters.

Material and Method: Fifty-one COPD patients without any systemic inflammation were included in the study. Pulmonary function test parameters were evaluated. 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and dyspnea severity were recorded. Twelve healthy persons in a control group were also included in the study. Venous blood specimens of the patients and the control group were collected and serum NO, MDA and erythrocyte SOD, GSHPx levels were measured.

Results: Mean age of the patients were 62.94±10.56 years. When the control group and COPD patients were compared; MDA (p<0.001), NO (p=0.012) and GSH-Px (p=0.012) were significantly higher in the control group than COPD patients. However, when the age factor was controlled, only MDA(p=0.017) was found higher in the control group. As forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1) decreased; NO, SOD, MDA and GSH-Px increased, although there was no statistical significance. Like FEV1, 6MWT and dyspnea severity by VAS did not show any statistical significance with the parameters investigated.

Conclusion: From the results, we could not observe the reflections of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance on functional parameters in COPD. This may be due to incomplete systemic response to local disorders as well as the attempts of antioxidant systems to maintain an equilibrium resembling that in healthy individuals. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 88-93)