There is a growing number of evidence indicating the oxidative stress involvement in pathogenesis of asthma. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is present in allergic inflammation. ROS may induce symptoms characteristic for asthma: bronchospasm, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, beta-adrenergic receptors ’dysfunction, mucus hypersecretion, activation of arachidonic acid cascade, increased permeablility and bronchial epithelial damage. The products of lipid and protein oxidative damage are increased in blood, BAL, and exhaled air of patients with asthma. There are also disorders in enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of antioxidative barrier in asthma. The antioxidative-prooxidative balance requires further research, yet it may contribute in understanding of pathogenesis of asthma. It may also have some therapeutic implication.

Keywords: oxidatise stress, Asthma