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Published on: February 7, 2018
Investigation of oxidant and antioxidant pathway changes in acute rheumatic fever
Abdurrahman Uner1, Ertan Sal, Murat Doğan
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Medicine School of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.
Insights
Oxidative stress and reduced antioxidants contribute to tissue damage in acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Treatment normalized these markers, suggesting a role for oxidative stress in ARF pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an inflammatory condition following streptococcal infection.
- The precise mechanisms underlying ARF pathogenesis, particularly the role of oxidative stress, require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of oxidative stress in the clinical course and pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).
Main Methods:
- The study involved 33 children diagnosed with ARF and 20 healthy controls.
- Measurements included malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as oxidative stress markers, alongside antioxidant vitamins (alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, retinol, beta-carotene).
- Levels were assessed before and after treatment in ARF patients.
Main Results:
- Children with ARF exhibited significantly higher MDA and lower GSH levels compared to controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).
- Post-treatment, MDA levels decreased and GSH levels increased significantly in ARF patients (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
- Antioxidant markers including alpha-tocopherol, retinol, and beta-carotene were significantly lower in ARF patients before treatment (P ≤ 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Tissue damage in ARF is associated with increased oxidative stress and diminished antioxidant capacity.
- These findings highlight the significant role of oxidative stress in ARF pathogenesis and suggest potential therapeutic targets.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oxidant stress in the clinical process and pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).
Material And Methods:
The study included 33 children with ARF and 20 healthy control subjects. The diagnosis of ARF was established according to the Jones Criteria. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, retinol and beta-carotene levels were measured as markers of oxidative stress together with some antioxidant markers.
Results:
Our study includes 33 (19 male, 14 female) children with ARF and 20 (11 male, 9 female) healthy control subjects. The mean age ranged between 5-16 years and 5-15 years in the study and control groups, respectively. MDA was measured as 2.1 +/- 0.9 nmol/mL in the control group, 3.3 +/- 2.7 nmol/mL in the study group before treatment, and 2.1 +/- 1.2 nmol/mL after treatment. Blood GSH levels were 48.2 +/- 12.7 mg/dL in the control group, 24.7 +/- 16 mg/dL in the study group before treatment, and 40.6 +/- 21.3 mg/dL in the study group after treatment. MDA and GSH levels prior to the treatment were found to be significantly high and low as compared with the levels of the control group, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). After treatment, statistically important decrements and increments were determined in the levels of MDA (P < 0.05) and GSH (P < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, alpha-tocopherol, retinol and beta-carotene levels prior to treatment in the study group, were significantly lower in comparison with control group levels (P = 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively).
Conclusion:
We suggested that tissue damage in ARF may not only occur in the presence of increased oxidative stress, but also as a consequence of decreased antioxidant markers.
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