Oxidative stress and protein glycation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Several studies have indicated the presence of increased oxidative stress as a critical feature in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Another biochemical complication leading to pathogenesis is protein glycation. The nexus between oxidative stress and protein glycation in various pathological conditions is being unraveled. Increased oxidative stress can lead to enhanced protein glycation by a process of auto-oxidative glycation. No information is available in the literature regarding protein glycation among COPD patients. Eleven non-diabetic COPD patients were included in the study and equal number of age and sex-matched healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. The whole-blood reduced glutathione was found to be less among the patients while lipid peroxides and fructosamine were elevated in comparison to control. The present study confirmed oxidative stress and enhanced protein glycation among the COPD patients. Antioxidant therapy may be considered as part of the treatment regimen for COPD patients.