Important Biomarkers that Play a Role in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Process

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that includes multiple mechanisms such as inflammation, infection, smoking, hypoxia, and lack of antioxidant response can cause oxidative stress. In our study, we aimed to determine the changes in some oxidative stress [malondialdehyde and glutathione] and some cellular immunity markers (neopterin and TGF-b) in patients diagnosed with COPD and determine the damage to the organism. METHODS: While the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (Immuchrom kit, Germany) was utilized to determine MDA, GSH and NP levels, the ELISA method was used for TGF-b levels. RESULTS: All obtained data regarding each parameter were compared with both COPD and healthy individuals and between parameters. There was a statistically significant difference between the control group of healthy subjects and COPD group in all parameters (p<0.05). A negative and correlation between oxidant MDA and antioxidant GSH parameters was determined (p=-0.394). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, it was seen that oxidative balance changed in the patient group and cellular immunity increased. When the obtained data and literature are taken into account, these changes occurring in oxidative balance and cellular immunity are of importance in determining the development in the pathogenesis of COPD, treatment op - tions and their risks for heart disease in advance.