ABSTRACT
Due to the great controversy about the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis, and the antioxidants in therapy of asthma we created this study, the concentrations of Malondialdehyde [MDA], vitamins [A and E] in plasma were measured in [20] patients with mild asthma [Group I], [20] patients with sever asthma [Group II] and [10] healthy control [Group III]. Baseline pulmonary function tests were also performed. Group I and II [asthmatic groups] were given vitamin A [3000 IU] and vitamin E [300 1U] daily for one week, then the above parameters were re-assayed. Asthmatic patients [Group I and II] had a significant higher level of MDA and lower levels of vitamins A and E than normal control [p < 0.001]. These changes were more statistically evident in Group II than Group I [p < 0.001]. The Group I and II show a significant inverse relation between MDA and vitamins [A and E] levels before and after therapy [r value was greater than - 0.4 for vitamin A and greater than - 0.6 for vitamin E]. Also, direct relation between vitamins [A and E] levels and FEVI before and after therapy were detected. After antioxidant therapy, a significant decrease in MDA level [p < 0.001], increase in vitamins [A and E] levels [P < 0.001 for both] and a significant improvement in FEVI [p < 0.05 for Group I and p < 0.001 for Group II] were found in both asthmatic groups [I and II]. These data suggest that bronchial asthma is associated with a higher oxidant load and lower antioxidant defense which entails the use of antioxidants as a line of therapy in asthmatic patients