Examination of the role of oxygen free radicals in bronchial asthma in childhood.
The antioxidant enzyme activities, the lipid peroxidation level, the parameters of glutathione metabolism, and the proportion of haemoglobin oxidation products were determined during the symptom-free period of childhood bronchial asthma. A decreased catalase activity and a significantly reduced glutathione instability were demonstrated as compared to the controls. The results indicate that antioxidant protection of the haemoglobin molecule in asthmatic children is considerably decreased.