Mustard Lung Shows Elevated Oxidative Stress, Distinct from Other Respiratory Conditions: Study Shows

The researchers note that mustard lung is a chronic respiratory condition caused by exposure to sulfur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent known for its long-term toxic effects on the lungs. An imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants leads to oxidative stress, a key factor in developing lung diseases, driving inflammation and tissue damage. Considering this, Sussan Kaboudanian Ardestani, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, and colleagues aimed to analyze the oxidative and antioxidative profiles in veterans with long-term health complications due to SM exposure and compare them with profiles observed in asthma, chronic bronchitis (CB), and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO).

For this purpose, the researchers analyzed serum samples to assess oxidative and antioxidative markers, including Protein Carbonyls (PC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Total Peroxide (TPX), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). They also evaluated the oxidative stress index (OSI) and key antioxidant enzymes such as Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), along with levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione.

The study revealed the following findings:

• Patients with mustard lung showed a significant increase in TPX levels, indicating heightened oxidative stress.
• Certain factors suggested the presence of a compensatory mechanism that helps balance oxidative stress over time following SM exposure.
• When compared to veterans with BO, CB, and asthma-like conditions, mustard lung exhibited distinct oxidative stress patterns despite some similarities.
• The oxidative stress profiles of mustard lung patients differed from those of corresponding respiratory diseases.
• Disease severity in mustard lung had no significant impact on oxidative stress levels or antioxidant responses.

The researchers highlight mustard lung as a distinct pulmonary condition with a unique oxidative stress profile, emphasizing the need for specific diagnostic and treatment approaches for SM-induced respiratory diseases. Their investigation into the oxidative and antioxidative profiles of veterans with long-term respiratory complications nearly three decades after SM exposure revealed a significant increase in TPX levels, indicating elevated oxidative stress. However, the findings suggest that disease severity does not significantly influence oxidative burden or antioxidant responses.

"This study provides valuable biochemical insights, reinforcing the recognition of mustard lung as an independent pulmonary disorder requiring targeted management strategies," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Jamali, T., Vaez-Mahdavi, M., Taravati, A., Mohammadian, R., Jalilvand, F., Fallahi, F., Ghazanfari, T., & Ardestani, S. K. (2025). Mustard lung with a unique oxidative stress profile as an independent pulmonary disease. International Immunopharmacology, 149, 114210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114210