effect of antioxidant treatment on pulmonary function in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

Sixty asthmatic children, meeting the criteria of American Thoracic Society for the diagnosis of asthma, were included in this study. Out of them, 40 cases received an antioxidant therapy in the recommended daily dose in addition to their regular treatment plan and 20 patients received their regular treatment without supplementary antioxidant. Another control group of 30 normal non-asthmatic children age and sex matched were also included in the study. The antioxidants used are a combination of several vitamins and minerals and have the ability to scavenger and damage free radicals. Pulmonary function tests were done for all children included in the study at the beginning and three months later at the end of the study. The spirometric parameters included vital capacity [VC], forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], the ratio between forced expiratory volume in the first second and forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC], forced mid expiratory flow [FEF] 25-75% and peak expiratory flow [PEF]. The results of spirometry were expressed as a percentage of predicted value adjusted for age and height. From the results obtained, it was concluded that antioxidants especially vitamin A, C, E, zinc and selenium have a good effect on asthma in both clinical symptoms and pulmonary function showing an improvement in most of its component