[Interrelationship between antibodies to enzymes of antioxidant system and cardiac involvement in patients with...

In blood of patients with systemic scleroderma we detected antibodies to the antioxidant system enzymes. Level of specific immunoglobulins rose with increase of the disease activity. Antioxidant system of the body is represented by a number of enzymes called to negate pathogenic effect of active forms of oxygen. In pathological states balance between factors of aggression and defense is disturbed. This leads to even more deep damage of tissues. Taking into consideration important role of immunological shifts in development of atherosclerosis one can suggest that autoantibodies to enzymes represent one of mechanisms of derangement of the work of enzymatic systems. Significantly higher levels of antibodies were detected in patients with symptoms of involvement of the cardiovascular system. We measured blood serum antibodies according to elaborated by us method of indirect immuno enzyme analysis with the use of immobilized antigenic forms of enzymes.