Serum Vitamin C Level in Patients Suffering from Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is primarily an inflammatory disease, and the bronchial airways have been shown to be particularly susceptible to oxidant-induced tissue damage. Oxidative stress can have many effects on airway function, including airway smooth muscle contraction, induction of airway hyper responsiveness, mucous hypersecretion, epithelial shedding and vascular exudation. Vitamin C is the most essential antioxidant within the lung lining fluid of the airways and is a protective factor against external oxidants such as cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants. Increased asthma could in part be caused by inadequate dietary vitamin C or other antioxidants, or inflammatory generation of endogenous oxidants. Objective of the present study was finding the status of serum vitamin C in patients suffering from bronchial asthma.