Serum Extra Cellular Superoxide Dismutase and Ascorbic Acid Levels in Smoker and Non-smoker Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a health problem with increasing severity, as exposure to risk factors such as cigarette smoke, pollution is inevitable. Oxidantantioxidant imbalance cause oxidative burden leading to lung tissue damage. Presently, diagnosis of COPD is based on impaired lung function tests. Aims and Objectives: This study was aimed to measure serum levels of extra-cellular Superoxide Dismutase (ecSOD), a major antioxidant enzyme in pulmonary and extra pulmonary compartment and versatile antioxidant ascorbic acid in various stages of COPD and to correlate them with BMI and smoking status. Methods: The study involved 100 stable COPD patients grouped in to four stages based on GOLD criterion (FEV1 % predicted). Results: Serum ecSOD and ascorbic acid levels show decreasing trend across the stages of COPD. Mean ecSOD is higher while mean ascorbic acid level is lower in active smokers than non-smokers and ex-smokers. Ascorbic acid has significant positive correlation (r=0.4, p<0.05) while ecSOD shows moderate positive correlation (r=0.5, p<0.05) with FEV1% predicted. Conclusion: Raised ecSOD and lower ascorbic acid levels, indicate excess of oxidative stress in active smokers and they have shown decreasing trend across the stages of COPD. ecSOD may serve as potential biomarkers in COPD pathophysiology. Dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid to COPD patients is strongly recommended.