Biomed Res- India 2013 Volume 24 Issue 1 135 Biomedical Research 2013; 24 (1): 135-138 ISSN 0970-938X Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in COPD Patients: Beneficial Role of Exercise and Scope for Improvement. Shah Mohammad Abbas Waseem; Mobarak Hossain, S Aijaz Abbas Rizvi, Zuber Ahmad 1 , Najmul Islam 2 Department of Physiology, 1 Department of TB and Respiratory Diseases, 2 Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital ,Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. Abstract Smoking is a major risk factor in COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease]. It con- tributes to inflammation and oxidative stress which are implicated in hyperlipidemia and lung function decline. Exercise may result in anti-inflammatory effects which limit smoking induced changes in COPD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidant anti- oxidant imbalance and lipid profile in exercising and non-exercising COPD groups and in- cluded 50 patients in each group. The results indicated that the lung functions were signifi- cantly reduced in those not doing exercise. The serum levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase and GPX) were significantly lower in non exercising group as compared to exercis- ing group(p<0.001) while the levels of MDA (Malondialdehyde) were significantly higher in the same group(p<0.001).The levels of HDL(p<0.001) were significantly higher and VLDL(p=0.03) were significantly lower in exercising group as compared to non exercising group. The present study indicates that exercise has beneficial role in COPD and reduces Oxidant Anti Oxidant imbalance and improves lipid profile and it may be due to anti- inflammatory effects of exercise. Keywords: COPD, exercising, non-exercising, smokers, Oxidant Anti-Oxidant, lung functions, lipid profile, inflamma- tion. Accepted November 03 2012 Introduction WHO recognizes that chronic obstructive pulmonary dis- ease (COPD), carries much importance in matters of pub- lic health [1]. Smoking is a major risk factor and smoking is known to have hyperlipidemic effects [2,3]. Oxidative stress is implicated in COPD which initiate inflammatory responses in the lungs[4]. COPD results in reduction in physical activity and poor quality of life. Exercise training increases aerobic power, increase lactate threshold, im- proves acid buffering and improves quality of life and provides a feeling of self belief and wellbeing in COPD patients. Exercise is included in pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD [5, 6]. Various researches worldwide have sug- gested that symptom limited interval training and strength training increases exercise capacity for COPD patients, moreover exercise in moderation is shown to improve lipid profile and antioxidant defenses in smokers [7] thus present study was undertaken to evaluate Oxidant Anti- Oxidant imbalance and lipid profile in those COPD pa- tients following self-exercise regime. Materials and Methods The present study was undertaken in the Departments of Physiology, Biochemistry and TB and Respiratory Dis- eases and included 100 newly diagnosed patients of COPD selected from OPD of TB and Respiratory Dis- eases, JNMC, AMU , Aligarh. The study period was be- tween January to April 2010. Institutional Ethical Com- mittee clearance was obtained. Subjects were then divided into two groups of fifty each (those doing exercise and those who don’t do any type of exercise) on the basis of history of atleast thirty minutes exercise per day regularly for atleast past three months. Subjects doing any type of exercise prescribed or recommended by a Physician were excluded i.e. exercising group included strictly those who were following their self regime of exercise like walking or jogging etc. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Only newly diagnosed cases of COPD (selected from among those attending TB and Respiratory Diseases OPD) having history of smok- ing and willingness to participate were included in the present study. Subjects suffering from Hypertension, Bronchial Asthma, Diabetes or any illness other than COPD in which Oxidant Anti Oxidant imbalance is im-