Oxidative stress and anti-oxidant therapy in bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic airway inflammatic disease. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis and development of asthma.The stimuli of oxidative stress can be originated endogenously or exogenously,both produce various injuries on molecules and cells through the induction of radical oxygen species.The level of oxidative stress is often elevated in asthmatic patients,accompanied by the impaired anti-oxidant capacity. Numerous studies using anti-oxidant therapies or interventions on both human patients and animal models have elicited some positive results.It is of great importance in prophylaxis and treatment of asthma to efficiently prevent or attenuate oxidative stress-induced damage. Key words: Oxidative stress; Bronchial asthma;  Anti-oxidant