Effect of corticosteroids on elevated intracellular sodium, plasma lipid peroxide levels and reduced Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in patients of bronchial asthma.

In view of several reports that there is a lack of balance in free radicals in case of bronchial asthma (1) the effect of free radicals on cell membrane was studied by estimating the membrane bound protein Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity and the intracellular sodium level in patients of bronchial asthma before and after a short course (one week) of oral corticosteroid (prednisolone 0.75-1mg/kg body weight) therapy. Results showed that there is a definite statistically significant rise in free radical level and intracellular sodium level and a significant lowering of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in case of untreated bronchial asthma. After short course of therapy with oral corticosteroids, the free radical level and intracellular sodium level decreased significantly, together with a significant rise of the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity. Also, a significant negative correlation (r=-0.74) between the lipid peroxide level and the Na(+),-K(+)-ATPase activity was found in these cases.