[Functional destabilization of the cell membranes in the pathogenesis of opisthorchiasis]

Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant system have been studied in 28 patients with acute opisthorchiasis, 129 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis, 57 patients in the residual stage of the disease (6-12 months later) and 28 practically healthy subjects. The data obtained indicate excessive accumulation of primary (diene conjugates), secondary (malonic dialdehyde) and terminal (Schiff bases) LPO products in erythrocyte membranes of patients with acute and chronic opisthorchiasis. These patients have also revealed a drop in alpha-tocopherol level in erythrocyte membranes and blood plasma. An excessive content of primary and terminal LPO products persisted in erythrocyte membranes in the residual stage of the disease. Blood plasma alpha-tocopherol level remained low.