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Published on: October 3, 2012
Oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease
Shashikant Nikam1, Padmaja Nikam, S K Ahaley
1Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Miraj, India ; Department of Biochemistry, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Civil Hospital Campus, Belgaum, 590001 Karnataka India.
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|October 30, 2012
Summary
Oxidative stress, indicated by higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide, is linked to Parkinson's disease. Lower levels of antioxidants and trace elements suggest their role in the disease's progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, alongside mitochondrial dysfunction, excitotoxicity, nitric oxide toxicity, and inflammation.
- The precise role of oxidative stress—whether causative or consequential—in these linked degenerative processes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease.
- To assess levels of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in PD patients.
Main Methods:
- Quantified lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and nitric oxide (nitrite & nitrate) in plasma.
- Measured enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, ceruloplasmin) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamins E and C) in serum/plasma/erythrocytes.
- Assessed trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium) in 40 PD patients (40-80 years) and compared with controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide levels were observed in PD patients.
- Significantly decreased levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, ceruloplasmin, vitamins E and C, copper, zinc, and selenium were found in PD patients compared to controls.
- These findings indicate a state of heightened oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defense in Parkinson's disease.
Conclusions:
- Elevated oxidative stress appears to contribute to dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta.
- The study supports the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
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