Reactive oxygen metabolites as an index of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether reactive oxygen metabolite species (ROMs) correlated with lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate whether ROMs could be used as an index of COPD severity.


METHODS
ROMs were evaluated in plasma by a colorimetric method (d-ROM-test) in 94 patients with COPD and in 31 healthy nonsmokers subjects. Spirometry, exhaled carbon monoxide and pulse oxymetry was performed in all patients.


RESULTS
Mean plasma ROMs were significantly increased (330.38 Carratelli units) in patients with COPD. There was a negative correlation of ROMs with forced expiratory volume in the first second (r= -0.275, P<0.007), with forced vital capacity (r= -0.278, P<0.007), with forced expiratory flow (r= -0.226, P<0.029) and with oxygen saturation (r= -0.315, P<0.010). In addition a positive correlation was found between the age of the patients and the oxidative stress (r= 0.366, P<0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate the presence of systemic oxidative stress in patients with COPD. The increased oxidative stress in COPD patients was concomitant with the impairment of lung function.
Markoulis
N
N
Pulmonary Department, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakyriazi, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
Gourgoulianis
K I
KI
Moulas
A
A
Gerogianni
E
E
Molyvdas
A P
AP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014797:Vital Capacity
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D010100:Oxygen