[Antioxidant status after surgical stress]

Trauma and anaesthetics are responsible for local and general change in the organism. The characteristic changes in metabolism are caused by hormones. In addition, the increased glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, proteolysis and lipolysis are characteristic of this catabolic metabolism. Three groups (injured patients, patients with pulmonary disease, multiple trauma patients) showed an elevated lipid peroxidation as indicated by increased formation of TBA-reactive substances in the post-trauma or after surgery phase. The production of free radicals is supported by several stress factors. In this connection, the state of metabolism of the patients, several anaesthetics and the artificial respiration is very important. Enzymatic protecting systems (SOD, GSH-Px, Catalase) react to oxidative stress by positive adaptation. The non-enzymatic antioxidative systems (tocopherol, ascorbic acid, selen) are diminished, indicating an increased requirement.