Abstract

The role of free oxygen radicals and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of asthma, have not been well defined. In our study, we investigated plasma levels of free oxygen radicals and antioxidants in asthmatic patients. Symptomatic, mild asthmatic 18 patients who never used any antiasthma treatment (Group I, mean age, 34.6), asymptomatic, 20 mild asthmatic patients have been taking antiastma treatment (Group II, mean age, 35.1) and 20 healthy adults for control group (Group III, mean age, 33.2) were selected for this study. All cases were nonsmokers. In all selected cases, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), erytrhrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx), plasma seruloplasmine (SP) and vitamine C (Vit C) were measured. MDA and CAT levels of asthmatic patients in the Group I (respectively, 5.47±2.73 mol/L and 110.45±75.15 U/L) and in the Group II (respectively, 4.73±2.85 mol/L and 177.4±124.8 U/L) were significantly higher than control group (respectively, 2.14±0.66 mol/L and 42.54±21.97 U/L) (p<0.01), there was no significant difference between Group I and Group II (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in GPx levels between three groups (p>0.05). SP levels of Group I (133.48±82.68U/L) were significantly higher than Group III (61.84±25.94U/L) (p<0.01), there was no difference between Group II (104.42±56.36U/L) and Group III (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Vit C levels between three groups (p>0.05). According to our study, oxidant and antioxidant substances were found higher in asthmatic patients than control group and it is concluded that, free oxygen radicals and antioxidants may play a role in pathogenesis of asthma.