Antioxidant status in asthma.
Reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) have been observed in adults with asthma. This study examines the antioxidant status in children with asthma compared with a control group in a cross-sectional analysis. Red blood cell GSH-Px, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma concentrations of retinol, vitamin C, alpha tocopherol, and cholesterol were measured in 37 subjects (26 males) with stable controlled asthma. Thirty-five subjects (20 males) without eczema, hayfever, or recurrent respiratory symptoms were used as a control group. Children with asthma had significantly reduced red blood cell GSH-Px activity compared with controls [median (inter-quartile range) for asthma group, 10.25 (9.25-11.91); for control group, 11.75 (10.34-12.26) IU/g Hb; P = 0.006]. There were no significant differences in activity of SOD or vitamin C, retinol, or alpha tocopherol/cholesterol ratio. The reduction in GSH-Px activity may have therapeutic and etiological implications for asthma. The effects of disease activity and treatment on antioxidant status needs for further study.
Powell
C V
CV
University Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Nash
A A
AA
Powers
H J
HJ
Primhak
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid