Oxidative stress and biomarkers in patients with bronchial asthma

Abstract

Background: Bronchial asthma (BA) is a common disease that is characterized by airway inflammation. Recently many patients achieve good control with anti-inflammatory treatment. However some patients have persistent symptoms and airflow limitation even during such intervention. Therefore, pursuing appropriate biomarkers reflecting severity is crucial for disease monitoring. Oxidative stress is attracting attention as one of the important pathophysiological factors in BA. Aims and objectives: We investigated the magnitudes of oxidative stress and other biomarkers in patients with BA to clarify relationship between severity and various biomarkers. Methods: We enrolled patients who attended our hospital due to BA from January 2012 to January 2015. Oxidative stress was evaluated by reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) levels using the d-ROMs test (Diacron International, Grosetto, Italy). We examined characteristics of clinical history and laboratory findings. Results: One hundred and six patients (67 women, mean age: 52.3±16.5, 12 current smokers, 23 ex-smokers) were included in this study. Thirty four patients had airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC < 0.7). ROM levels were negatively correlated with %FEV1 (r = -0.21, p < 0.05). Serum IL-8 concentrations were also negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC (r = -0.37, p < 0.05) and %FEV1 (r = -0.42, p < 0.05). WBC and eosinophil counts, FeNO levels were not correlated with FEV1/FVC and %FEV1. Conclusions: ROM levels and serum IL-8 concentrations had significantly negative correlation with degrees of airflow limitation. These biomarkers may be useful in the management of BA.