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Asthma is a common illness that affects an estimated 300 million people of all ages and ethnicities worldwide. Studies demonstrate an increased oxidative stress in asthma. In this study,the levels of the non-enzymatic antioxidants:reduced glutathione, -tocopherol and ascorbic acid, as well as the levels of enzymatic antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase were measured in asthmatics. Furthermore, total antioxidant status was measured. The concentration of 8-oxodG, an oxidative DNA damage marker was also measured. Other oxidative stress biomarkers such as lipid peroxidation product, MDA, and nitric oxide metabolites were also measured. The present study supports the increased oxidative stress associated with asthma. It is the first to examine the changes in several measures of oxidative stress, including 8- oxo-dG, and antioxidant status. Alterations in a wide variety of antioxidants were investigated and measurements on several parameters of oxidative stress were carried out.

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Nouf Omar Al-Afaleg is a Saudi citizen born in the United States. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biochemistry from King Saud University in 2005 and 2010 respectively. She now works as a lecturer in the Biochemistry department, College of Science, King Saud University.

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