Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats
06:39

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats

Published on: October 17, 2018

Brief clinical study: Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in children with acute purulent meningitis and

Hüseyin Caksen1, Mustafa Cemek, Semiha Dede

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey. huseyincaksen@hotmail.com

The International Journal of Neuroscience
|December 9, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Free radicals play a role in childhood meningitis and encephalitis. Lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin C were elevated, while reduced glutathione (GSH) was lower in affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Biochemistry
  • Free Radical Research

Background:

  • Acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis are serious childhood infections.
  • Oxidative stress, involving free radicals, is implicated in various neurological disorders.
  • Understanding the role of oxidative stress in pediatric CNS infections is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis.
  • To determine the potential role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of these childhood neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol were measured.
  • 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 controls were included.
  • Measurements were performed within 6 hours of hospital admission.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences were observed in serum MDA, GSH, and vitamin C levels between groups.
  • Children with meningitis and encephalitis showed higher MDA and vitamin C, and lower GSH compared to controls.
  • Vitamin C levels were significantly lower in encephalitis patients compared to meningitis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Serum MDA and GSH levels are altered in children with both meningitis and encephalitis.
  • Vitamin C levels are specifically affected in childhood meningitis.
  • Serum vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol levels were not significantly changed in these conditions.

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...