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Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxides in children with cerebral palsy

Wojciech Kulak1, Wojciech Sobaniec, Elzbieta Solowej

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Białystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Białystok, Poland. kulak@hot.pl

Life Sciences
|June 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) show altered antioxidant enzyme activity, specifically lower erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR). This may be linked to reduced physical activity in CP patients.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Impaired antioxidant mechanisms contribute to free radical damage, potentially affecting neurodevelopment.
  • Abnormalities in antioxidant defense systems may play a role in the etiology of cerebral palsy (CP).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in children with CP.
  • To compare these antioxidant markers between CP children and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Spectrophotometric assays were used to measure SOD, GPx, and GR activities in plasma and erythrocytes.
  • Plasma MDA levels were also assessed.
  • Study included 34 children with CP and 61 healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Plasma levels of SOD, GPx, and GR did not significantly differ between CP children and controls.
  • Erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) activity was significantly lower in CP patients compared to controls.
  • Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration showed no statistical difference between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) activity in children with CP suggests a potential link to the condition.
  • Increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and decreased erythrocyte GR activities may be associated with reduced physical activity in children with CP.

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