Uncovering the Role of Oxidative Imbalance in the Development and Progression of Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways related to epithelial damage, bronchial hyperresponsiveness to contractile agents, tissue remodeling, and luminal narrowing. Currently, there are many data about the pathophysiology of asthma; however, a new aspect has emerged related to the influence of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) on the origin of this disease. Several studies have shown that an imbalance between the production of ROS and RNS and the antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Considering this aspect, this study is aimed at gathering data from the scientific literature on the role of oxidative distress in the development of inflammatory airway and lung diseases, especially bronchial asthma. For that, articles related to these themes were selected from scientific databases, including human and animal studies. The main findings of this work showed that the respiratory system works as a highly propitious place for the formation of ROS and RNS, especially superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxynitrite, and the epithelial damage is reflected in an important loss of antioxidant defenses that, in turn, culminates in an imbalance and formation of inflammatory and contractile mediators, such as isoprostanes, changes in the activity of protein kinases, and activation of cell proliferation signalling pathways, such as the MAP kinase pathway. Thus, the oxidative imbalance appears as a promising path for future investigations as a therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatic patients, especially those resistant to currently available therapies.

Vitamin D has an effect on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice

“…The occurrence and development of asthma are often accompanied by biological damage caused by oxidative stress. 18 ROS, MDA and SOD are vital indexes of oxidative stress and hence were evaluated to analyze the oxidative stress. 26,27 Our results were indicative of no significant changes in the MDA, ROS and SOD contents between the control group and sham group; compared with the controls, the contents of MDA and ROS were increased and the content of SOD was decreased in asthmatic mice, while administration of 50 ng/ml of vitamin D partially inverted the changes of the oxidative stress index, while 100 ng/ml of vitamin D could significant influence the oxidative stress index.…”

“…Asthma as a chronic airway inflammation can induce oxidative stress injury due to the imbalance of ROS and other oxidants. 18 Therefore, the alterations in the levels of MDA, ROS, and SOD were detected using the specified kits (Figure 2). In comparison with the sham group, no significant changes were identified in the MDA, ROS and SOD contents in the control group (P > 0.05); compared with the control group, the MDA and ROS contents were increased while the SOD content was decreased in the OVA group (p < 0.001); compared with the asthma group, 50 ng/ml vitamin D could partially annul the deviations in the oxidative damage index, while 100 ng/ml vitamin D treatment could significantly annul these alterations (p < 0.001).…”

Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia and Oxidative Stress in Developing Human Airway Smooth Muscle

“…Hydrogen peroxide is subsequently generated from superoxide by superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme expressed at high levels in the lungs [ 80 ]. Other ROS, such as hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and peroxynitrate are produced through non-enzymatic reactions in the cell [ 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase are antioxidant enzymes for hydroperoxides such as hydrogen peroxide [ 81 , 84 ].…”

“…Other ROS, such as hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and peroxynitrate are produced through non-enzymatic reactions in the cell [ 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase are antioxidant enzymes for hydroperoxides such as hydrogen peroxide [ 81 , 84 ]. In the present studies, we used H 2 O 2 to induce oxidative stress, which typically occurs through a Fenton reaction in which H 2 O 2 reacts with Fe 2+ to produce hydroxide ion and hydroxyl radical.…”

An Update on the Role of Nrf2 in Respiratory Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches

“…Inflammatory cells are the main source of ROSs in asthma. Antigenic challenges in asthmatic patients mediate the production of ROSs by eosinophils [100]. Under inflammation, stimulated eosinophils rapidly release extracellular DNA traps as an important mechanism of the innate immune response, trapping and killing pathogens [101].…”