Study on Oxidative Metabolic Changes to Differentiate Exudative from Transudative Pleural Effusions

The purpose of this present study was to differentiate transudates and exudates in pleural effusions. Oxidative stress has been associated with various respiratory disorders. Ninety patients of pleural effusions of diverse etiologies were participated in this study. Subjects underwent diagnostic thoracentesis and standard biochemical parameters (total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, MDA levels) were measured in pleural fluid and serum. MDA, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose levels in plural fluid were higher in exudates compared to transudates (p<0.001). Total protein pleural fluid/ total protein serum ratio, LDH pleural fluid/LDH serum ratio and MDA pleural fluid/MDA serum ratio were raised in exudates compared to transudates (p<0.001). The present study showed that oxidative stress was more in exudates compared to transudates, probably due to the production of reactive oxygen species and it may serve as a marker for differentiation between transudates and exudates in clinical practice.