Sustained elevation of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation in exacerbation and remission of asthma.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. We aimed at investigating the biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage in patients with asthma in acute exacerbation and remission. We recruited 18 asthmatics admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation and 18 healthy nonsmoking controls matched for age.

Analysis of TGF-beta(1) gene polymorphisms in Hong Kong Chinese patients with asthma.

Background: The C-509T polymorphism of TGF-beta(1) gene has been associated with asthma and atopy in white populations.

Objective: We investigated the association between asthma and previously identified polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C of the TGF-beta(1) gene among 250 Chinese patients with asthma and 308 healthy controls in Hong Kong.

Methods: Genotyping was performed on peripheral blood genomic DNA by using PCR-RFLP.

Systemic oxidative and antioxidative status in Chinese patients with asthma.

Background: Patients with asthma generate an increased amount of reactive oxygen species from peripheral blood cells. Reactive oxygen species produce many of the pathophysiologic changes associated with asthma and may contribute to its pathogenesis.

Objective: We investigated changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidized glutathione (glutathione disulfide; GSSG) levels in erythrocytes from a group of healthy control Chinese subjects (n=135) and patients with asthma (n=106).