ABSTRACT
COPD has widespread systemic manifestations. Inflammation plays important role in its pathophysiology. Aim of the present study was to compare markers of oxidative stress and inflammation between obese and non obese COPD patients. The levels of pro inflammatory cytokines CRP, IL6 and TNF α were compared between obese and non-obese subjects by applying student’s t test. Oxidative imbalance was assessed by analyzing MDA and FRAP assay in same subjects. Correlation of BMI with the above study parameters was analyzed using Pearson’s test. Results indicated that levels of CRP, IL6 and TNF α were elevated in obese group as compared to non-obese group (p<0.001). Total antioxidant capacity estimated by FRAP assay was lower (p=0.005) but the levels of oxidants estimated indirectly by MDA was higher (p=0.01) in obese COPD patients. In all COPD patients included in present study BMI correlated inversely with FRAP (r=-0.546, p=0.013), FVC (r=0.548, p=0.012) and FEV1 (r=-0.865, p<0.001). Similarly BMI correlated positively with markers of inflammation namely CRP(r=0.526, p=0.017), IL6(r=0.865, p<0.001), TNF α (r=0.653,p=0.002). Positive correlation of BMI was found with MDA(r=0.536, p=0.015). Conclusion: there is higher inflammation in obesity resulting in oxidant antioxidant imbalance and lung function decline.