Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: July 7, 2014
Oxidative stress in blood in cases of untreated refractory anaemia
N Tzvetkov1, P Bochev, M Alexandrova
1Clinic of Haematology, Medical University, Pleven, Bulgaria.
Purpose:
To examine some features of free radical processes in the blood of patients with untreated refractory anaemia (RA) and to interpret their pathogenetic role.
Materials And Methods:
Products of the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde-MDA) in whole blood, some antioxidant systems - superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes, catalase (CTS) activity and the concentration of sulfhydryl groups (SHG) in whole blood, as well as the spontaneous and stimulated chemiluminescent activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL), reflecting the production of oxygen free radicals, were studied in the blood of 21 patients suffering from untreated RA (study group) and in 45 healthy individuals (control group).
Results:
Increased content of MDA (p<0.001), lowered level of CTS activity (p<0.001) and concentration of SHG (p<0.05), increased SOD activity (p<0.05) and an increase in the spontaneous PMNL oxidative activity (p<0.05) were found in the study group compared with the control group.
Conclusion:
Strong oxidative stress was recorded in the blood of patients with untreated RA. An assumption was made that the initial iron overload helps the initiation of free radical oxidative processes in blood, accompanied with spontaneous activation of PMNL. Erythrocyte membranes probably are the main target for oxidative attack.
Related Concept Videos
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

