Isoprostanes and asthma

Measurement of isoprostanes has demonstrated a pathophysiological role for oxidative stress in asthma and may establish whether amelioration of oxidative stress affects manifestations and progression of asthma. Owing to their potent proinflammatory effects in the airways, pharmacological modulation of isoprostanes with antioxidants might represent a novel therapeutic strategy to target oxidative stress in asthmatic patients. Understanding the effect of currently available antiasthmatic drugs on isoprostanes might provide a rationale for their combination with antioxidants.

Section editors:Roy Goldie – Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, AustraliaPeter Henry – School of Medicine & Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia