Systemic antioxidant defences during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
Existence of an increased oxidative stress has been confirmed in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. This study aims to examine the extent and time-course of antioxidant defence in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD in comparison with stable patients.


METHODS
Twelve patients with acute exacerbation were studied at admission, and then 24 h and 48 h following admission and at discharge. The antioxidants assessed were the endogenous antioxidants: glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, oxidized and reduced glutathione, albumin and exogenous antioxidants: alpha-tocopherol and retinol. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity as a marker of antioxidant status was also measured.


RESULTS
There was an increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase 48 h after admission (P<0.05). Alpha-tocopherol was the lowest 24 h after admission and increased significantly at discharge (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is an increase in antioxidant defence during acute exacerbation of COPD reaching a maximum at 48 h after admission. This rise in the antioxidant defence is not sufficient to prevent depletion of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol.
Sadowska
Anna M
AM
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. anna.sadowska@ua.ac.be
Luyten
Chris
C
Vints
Anne-Marie
AM
Verbraecken
Johan
J
Van Ranst
Dirk
D
De Backer
Wilfried A
WA
D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism
D000418:Albumins; D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine