Study on the Role of Treatment With Vitamin E on Asthmatic Responses in Allergic Asthmatics
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Asthma is a common respiratory disease of unknown etiology which currently affects
approximately 7.5 % of the adult population ( ). Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the
airways. Airway inflammation is evident not only in patients with fatal asthma but also in
mild asthmatics ( ). Oxidant stress, defined as inadequately controlled generation of toxic
reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells or tissues is a common feature of inflammation,
and has also been documented in asthma ( , ). However, the current understanding of the
relationship between the inflammation and the oxidant stress in asthmatic airways is poor.
Does oxidant stress contribute to the expression of asthmatic phenotypes independently of
inflammation? If so, could asthmatics benefit from supplementation of antioxidants? These
questions have been nagging us since our laboratory provided credible evidence of oxidant
injury in the airways of allergic asthmatics ( ). The purpose of our study is to more
precisely determine 1/ the pathophysiologic role of oxidative stress, and 2/ usefulness of
antioxidant therapy using vitamin E in allergic asthma.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Medical Center