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Antioxidants in critical illness.
1Department of Surgery, Box 359796, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. ebulger@u.washington.edu
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|October 19, 2001
Summary
Critically ill patients exhibit increased oxidative stress, a factor in severe conditions. This review examines antioxidant therapies like N-acetylcysteine and vitamins C and E for treating critical illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is linked to critical illnesses such as ischemia/reperfusion injury and systemic inflammation.
- Evidence suggests elevated oxidative stress markers in critically ill patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for increased oxidative stress in critical illness.
- To explore the efficacy of various antioxidant therapies in managing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies on oxidative stress in critical illness.
- Analysis of data from animal models and human trials investigating antioxidant interventions.
- Focus on specific antioxidants including N-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamins E and C, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lazaroids, and allopurinol.
Main Results:
- The review details the evidence supporting increased oxidative stress in critically ill populations.
- Data on the effectiveness of different antioxidant therapies in preclinical and clinical settings are presented.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is a significant factor in critical illness.
- Further research into targeted antioxidant therapies may offer clinical benefits for critically ill patients.