Oxidant / antioxidant imbalance in bronchial asthma: study of the effect of antioxidant therapy

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