Nutr Health. 2003;17(3):221-9.  Related Articles, Links  

Antioxidant status of adult Nigerian asthmatics: implications for prognosis.

Anetor JI, Ajose OA, Ige O, Oyeleye AO, Ojo PO.

Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,
Nigeria.

Serum antioxidant status of 50 (19M, 31F) adult asthmatic patients, aged 40 to
50 yr and attending the medical outpatient clinic of the University College
Hospital, Ibadan, has been assessed, by measurement of serum ascorbic acid,
copper, zinc, albumin, uric acid and magnesium levels, to determine the
relationship between antioxidant status and severity of bronchial asthma.
Twenty-five (25) age matched adults (10M, 15F) served as controls. The test
subjects were classified into two groups (1&2) based on the degree of
respiratory distress. Questionnaires were also used to obtain data on subjects'
fruit and vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was similar in patients
and controls, 96% and 100% respectively reporting adequate intake. Copper (Cu)
level was not significantly different between patients and control subjects,
but was significantly higher in female asthmatics than in males (p < 0.05).
Magnesium (Mg) level was also lower in asthmatics than in control subject (p <
0.001). Plasma Zinc level was not different between patients and control (p >
0.05). The levels of the other antioxidants, vitamin C, uric acid and albumin
were all lower in asthmatics than in controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001)
respectively. The magnesium level of group 2 (severe asthmatics) was lower than
in controls (p < 0.05) unlike moderate asthmatics (group 1) which do not differ
significantly from controls. These findings support the emerging concept that
antioxidants are consumed in this inflammatory disease and that a corresponding
increase in antioxidant supply may improve prognosis for bronchial asthma.

PMID: 14703155 [PubMed - in process]

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