Plasma oxidant-antioxidants status in asthma and its correlation with pulmonary function tests.

The present study was planned to asses the levels of oxidant and antioxidant in asthmatic patients and to evaluate the existence of correlation between oxidant-antioxidant levels and pulmonary function test. Asthma is a well know chronic inflammatory disorder where disturbances in the oxidative system have been observed. To investigate the oxidative stress plasma malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) were measured. FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR values were taken with computerized spirometry. Results revealed statistically significantly reduced PFT values (***P < 0.001) in asthmatics. Increase serum MDA (***P < 0.001) and decrease vitamin C (***P < 0.001) in patients suggestive of oxidative imbalance in asthma was revealed. However no correlation was found between PFT and oxidative stress indicators. The study thus supported the emerging concept of free radical injury in asthma and therefore a thought can be given to whether antioxidant supply could have a beneficial impact on the free radical induced injury and improvement of respiratory reserve in Asthmatics.