Abstract

Background: Nearly all smokers show some evidence of lung and systemic cellular and/or humoral inflammation, only a few will experience an amplified response and develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several studies have shown systemic inflammation in COPD patients with increased neutrophil, macrophage and T lymphocyte numbers, and high concentrations of inflammatory mediators in peripheral blood (C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)). Aims and
Objective: To study oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and TNF- levels in patients with COPD.
Materials and Methods: Forty-four COPD patients along with an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were included in study. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA; by thiobarbituric acid assay), assay of TNF- (by TNF-), and total antioxidant were measured.
Results: Malondialdehyde level was found to be significantly higher in all cases, and it was statistically significant in COPD patients with Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification grades 2 and 3. Total antioxidant level was significantly lower in all the patients with COPD and was statistically significant in GOLD grades 2 and 3. Like MDA, TNF level was also significantly higher in all the cases with statistically significant increase in GOLD grades 2 and 3. Conclusion: To better understand the role of these trace elements and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and complications of COPD, it is recommended to carry out further clinical studies.