Oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in South Indian male smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: Oxidative stress resulting from tobacco smoking has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant levels in smokers with and without COPD.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-six patients with COPD and 150 smokers with no respiratory problems were selected.