Determinants of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in COPD

<bold>Background:</bold> Previous studies have shown an elevation in oxidative stress levels among patients with COPD. This study aimed to assess the association of oxidative stress biomarkers with the clinical characteristics of COPD. <bold>Methods:</bold> The study comprised 70 patients diagnosed with stable COPD based on GOLD criteria. Upon enrolment, plasma levels of dROM, representing oxidative stress, and PAT, indicative of total antioxidant capacity, were measured as biomarkers. <bold>Results:</bold> The median age of the participants was 71 years (IQR 25% - 75%, 64 – 76 years), 27 females (39%). According to GOLD groups, 8 (11%) were classified as group A, 35 (50%) as group B and 27 (39%) as group E. PAT levels were increased in patients with a positive SARC-F screening test (mean ± SD; 2689 ± 304 vs. 2497 ± 431, p=0.053) and those with cardiovascular co-morbidities (mean ± SD; 2934 ± 325 vs. 2506 ± 382, p=0.022). Patients with low PAT values exhibited better exercise capacity in the 1-minute sit-to-stand test compared to those with normal or high PAT values (median, IQR 25%-75%; 25, 20-28 vs. 21, 16-23, p=0.033 and 20, 12-22, p=0.032). There was an association of dROM with hsCRP (Spearman’s rho 0.327, p=0.007) and fibrinogen (Spearman’s rho 0.399, p=0.001) but not with the clinical characteristics of patients. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our findings in this study reveal a positive correlation between total antioxidant capacity and signs of sarcopenia. On the other hand, oxidative stress was only associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers.