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.

The role of circulating serotonin in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor in the development of age-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene polymorphism has been reported to be associated with COPD, and the degree of cigarette smoking has been shown to be a significant mediator in this relationship. The interrelation between circulating serotonin (5-hydroxytyptamine, 5-HT), cigarette smoking and COPD is however largely unknown.

Elevated plasma TGF-beta1 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), a multifunctional cytokine, has been implicated to be responsible for the increased deposition of extracellular matrix in the airways, and increased submucosal collagen expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We determined plasma TGF-beta(1) levels in patients with COPD and explored its association with common functional polymorphisms of TGF-beta(1) gene at C-509T and T869C in the development of COPD in a case-control study.

Methods: Stable COPD patients who were ever smokers, and age and pack-years smoked matched healthy controls (n = 205 in each group) were recruited for measurement of plasma TGF-beta(1) levels using commercially available ELISA kit, and genotyped at C-509T and T869C functional polymorphisms of TGF-beta(1) gene using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Reference values of diffusing capacity of non-smoking Chinese in Hong Kong.

Background And Objective: This study was conducted to define normal reference values and lower limits of normal (LLN) for single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) and DLco per unit of alveolar volume (Kco) for Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

Methods: Healthy non-smoking men and women aged 18-80 years were recruited by random digit dialing. DLco and Kco were measured according to American Thoracic Society standards.

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.

Reactive oxidant species in asthma.

Purpose Of Review: This overview summarizes some recent studies on the balance of oxidants to antioxidants in patients with asthma. The aim of the review is to compare studies on the changes in oxidants/antioxidants in stable asthma or in acute exacerbation of asthma.

Recent Findings: Our review of the recent literature in this field seems to indicate conflicting findings.