Ageing, smoking and oxidative stress

The authors claim that, for the first time, the oxidation of albumin-the most abundant protein in the BAL fluid-has been shown to account for the excessive total protein carbonylation. [...]the possibility that lung antioxidant defences might be overwhelmed is considered but further studies are necessary. Ageing plus smoking is necessary, as younger current smokers have demonstrated lower levels of oxidative stress. Since the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance is implicated in the pathogenesis of emphysema, the lack of an effect of emphysema in this study is surprising.