[Influence of copper (II) complex on the activity of selected oxidative enzymes]

Coxarthrosis results in physical limitations (hypokinesis) and a necessity to change one's life style to the one that does not require much movement. Physical inactivity leads rapidly to metabolic processes inhibition. The processes of protein, carbohydrate and lipid catabolism intensify. Abnormal metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids occurs, which consequently leads to the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to the acceleration of lipid peroxidation. Therefore, it is well-founded to seek for a new group of compounds demonstrating interesting biochemical properties. Among such already known compounds are chromone, azole and flavone derivatives, known for their oxidative properties. The aim of the study was to assess the antioxidant enzymes: catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes in 25 patients suffering from coxarthrosis in comparison with healthy persons.

The activity of catalase was determined in erythrocytes using the method of Beers and Sizer at 240 nm on the Beckman spectrophotometer. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was estimated using the method of Little and O'Brien at 412 nm on the Beckman spectrophotometer. The research was conducted with the permit of the Bioethics Committee No RNN/260/08/KB dated 20.05.2008. Blood for the tests was taken from periulnar vein to anticoagulant tubes (EDTA). The group consisted of 25 patients hospitalized in the Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward of the Hospital in Łódź.

The results of the tests on erythrocytes in the patients with physical limitations reveal the increase of glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity by about 50% in all patients, who were administered the dichlorobis (N1-dichloromethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole, copper (II) compound in comparison to the control group, where the foregoing compound was not used.

The research results significantly emphasise that adding of new chemical compounds to blood in investigation of oxidative properties has a considerable influence on the activity of the selected enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in comparison to the control group. The research reveals an increase of the activity of all antioxidant enzymes, where newly synthesized chemical compounds were used. The results of antioxidative capacity tests confirmed that complex compounds with Cu (II) ions have a significant influence on the antioxidative status. The studies on the foregoing enzymes also indicate that overproduced free radicals participate in the whole course of the coxarthrosis.