[Oxidative stress: unsolved problem in the complex therapy in critically ill patients].

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Science

Context:

• Oxidative stress is increasingly implicated in critical illnesses.
• Intensive care unit (ICU) patients, particularly those undergoing surgery, are susceptible to oxidative stress due to inflammatory responses.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage both lipids and proteins, with lipid peroxidation being a key indicator.

Purpose:

• To comprehensively investigate oxidative stress markers in critically ill patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
• To assess the relationship between oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant status in this patient cohort.

Summary:

• This study examined eight patients undergoing surgery for diffuse peritonitis or acute pancreatitis.
• Lipid peroxidation was measured by plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) and antioxidant status by the desoxyribose method.
• Results showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels between the 3rd and 5th postoperative days, confirming elevated oxidative stress.

Impact:

• Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the clinical course and outcomes of surgical ICU patients.
• The development of multiple organ failure in these patients correlates with protein damage.
• Monitoring oxidative stress and protein damage parameters is recommended for improved patient management.