Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD). To investigate the correlation between the progression of
COPD and plasma
biomarkers of chronic
inflammation and oxidative injury, blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (HV, n = 14) and stabilized
COPD patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to their
GOLD stage (II, n = 34; III, n = 18; IV, n = 20).
C-reactive protein (CRP),
protein carbonyls (PC),
malondialdehyde (MDA), susceptible lipoperoxidation of plasma substrates (SLPS), and
myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were measured. The plasma concentration of SLPS was measured as the amount of MDA generated by a
metal ion-catalyzed reaction in vitro. PC, SLPS, and
CPR were increased significantly (p < 0.001) in
COPD patients when compared to HV. MDA concentrations and MPO activities were not significantly different from those of the HV group. In conclusion, increased oxidation of
lipids and
proteins resulting in a progressive increase in the amount of total plasma carbonyls and oxidative stress the presence of oxidative stress during
COPD progression, concomitant with an increased oxidation of
lipids and
proteins resulting in a progressive and significant increase in the amount of total carbonyls formed from
lipid-derived
aldehydes and direct
amino acid side chain oxidation in plasma, may serve as a
biomarker and independent monitor of
COPD progression and oxidative stress injury.