Abstract

A growing body of evidence shows that increased oxidative stress is one of the basic mechanismes in COPD pathogenesis. In this trial, it is aimed to determine the severity of the oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense mechanisms in acute exacerbations and in post exacerbative stable period in patients with COPD. The oxidative stress was evaluated by determining plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (nmol/ml) and the antioxidant system was evaluated by determining the erythrocyte levels of catalase (k/gHb) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (U/gHb) in 17 patients with COPD. In the study group, mean plasma MDA level was significantly higher in acute exacerbation than stable period (7.05±0.32 to 5.30±0.42, respectively; p<0.05). There was no significant difference in GSH Px and catalase levels between acute exacerbation and stable period (catalase: 75.70±5.62 to 84.94±7.53, respectively; p>0.05 and GSH-Px: 79.52±11.02 to 63.29±6.47, respectively; p>0.05) We concluded that the oxidative stress was elevated more in acute exacerbations than stable period in COPD patients. This increase in oxidativ