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Antioxidant defense capacity in scleroderma patients.
Roxana Sfrent-Cornateanu1, Carina Mihai, Irina Stoian
1Department of Physiopathology and Immunology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|July 8, 2008
Summary
Oxidative stress markers are elevated in scleroderma patients, indicating deficient antioxidant defense. Further research is needed to investigate decreased superoxide dismutase activity in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is implicated in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) pathogenesis.
- It is hypothesized to influence disease progression via vascular endothelium and fibroblast interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defense capacity in scleroderma patients.
- To compare these markers between scleroderma patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Spectrophotometric analysis of plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as an oxidative stress marker.
- Assessment of antioxidant defense markers including total antioxidant activity, albumin, uric acid, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase.
- Blood samples were collected from 23 scleroderma patients and 21 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Scleroderma patients exhibited significantly elevated plasma TBARS levels compared to controls.
- Total antioxidant activity and the antioxidant gap were significantly lower in patients.
- Superoxide dismutase activity was markedly decreased in scleroderma patients.
Conclusions:
- Plasma antioxidant defense appears deficient in scleroderma patients, evidenced by lower total antioxidant activity and antioxidant gap.
- The decreased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity observed warrants further investigation due to controversial previous findings.