Aim: To study the production of active oxygen forms (AOF) in the blood of patients with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the effect of the mycolytic agent Ambroxol on this process.
Subjects and methods: Fifty-two patients with an exacerbation of COPD were examined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) a study group (n = 25) received conventional therapy (antibiotics, bronchodilators, glucocorticosteroids) and Ambroxol inhalation; 2) a control group (n = 27) had conventional therapy and placebo (saline) inhalation. The blood production of AOF was studied by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay.
Results: The intensity of whole blood CL was increased in patients with COPD. Ambroxol therapy reduced blood AOF generation and improved clinical parameters. On the contrary, the high intensity of blood CL remained and a slowing trend in the symptoms of the disease was noted in the control group.
Conclusion: The use of Ambroxol in COPD exacerbations corrected AOF production in the blood of the patients and enhanced the efficiency of their treatment.