Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Several studies showed evidence that there is a strong association between oxidative stress and COPD. Decrease in antioxidants also contributes to oxidative stress, because antioxidants not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but also alter the inflammatory events that play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD.
Objective: To evaluate the erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondial- dehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation in patients with COPD and in controls.
Materials and Methods: A total number of 120 subjects were studied, comprising 60 healthy controls and 60 COPD cases. Among 60 COPD cases, 30 were patients with chronic bronchitis and 30 were patients with emphysema. Erythrocyte GSH was estimated by Ernest Beutler et al method, serum SOD activity by Marklund and Marklund method, and MDA by Kei Satoh method. Result: The levels of erythrocyte GSH and SOD activity were significantly decreased in COPD cases when compared with controls. They were significantly decreased in patients with emphysema when compared to controls and were signif - icantly increased in patients with emphysema when compared with patients with chronic bronchitis. Conclusion: This study suggests the increased MDA levels in patients with COPD because of increased lipid peroxidation mediated by toxic free radicals such as superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. The decrease in anti- oxidant levels of erythrocyte GSH and SOD activity among patients with COPD appear to be mainly a consequence of increased oxidative stress.