Isoprostane Characteristics in Sick House Syndrome, Atopy and Asthma Patient

  • Choi, Dal-Woong (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Sohn, Jong-Ryeul (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Moon, Kyung-Hwan (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Byeon, Sang-Hoon (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Lee, Jang-Hi (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Hi-Choi (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Young-Hwan (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Korea University)
  • Published : 2005.06.03

Abstract

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

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