Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Measuring Glutathione-induced Feeding Response in Hydra
Published on: November 16, 2014
Glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in children with chronic hepatitis C
Mohammed Ahmed Khedr1, Hanaa Ahmed El-Araby1, Hatem Abdel-Sattar Konsowa1
1Department of Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-koom, Menoufia, Egypt.
Insights
Children with chronic hepatitis C show increased oxidative stress markers, indicated by lower glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Treatment response correlates with the normalization of these oxidative stress indicators.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in children is a significant health concern.
- Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis.
- Understanding oxidative stress markers can aid in assessing disease severity and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate oxidative stress markers, specifically glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA), in children with CHC.
- To investigate the relationship between these markers and treatment response in pediatric HCV patients.
Main Methods:
- The study included 50 treatment-naïve children with CHC, 25 responders, 25 non-responders, and 25 healthy controls.
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Naïve CHC patients exhibited significantly lower erythrocyte GPX activity and higher plasma MDA levels compared to healthy controls.
- Responder patients showed higher GPX and lower MDA levels than non-responders, indicating a reversal of oxidative stress.
- Non-responder patients had significantly lower GPX and higher MDA levels compared to healthy controls and responders.
Conclusions:
- Pretreatment low GPX and high MDA levels may serve as indicators of oxidative stress in pediatric CHC.
- The normalization of GPX and MDA levels post-treatment suggests a link between oxidative stress and HCV pathogenesis.
- These markers could potentially predict treatment response and disease progression in children with CHC.
Aim Of The Study:
We aimed to assess oxidative stress factors, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and their relation to treatment response.
Material And Methods:
The study included 50 children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) before treatment (naïve HCV), 25 children responders to HCV treatment, 25 children non-responders to HCV treatment and 25 healthy controls. All patients and controls were subjected to GPX and MDA measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
The average GPX activity in erythrocytes of naïve CHC patients was 29.2 ±10.3 mU/ml. It was statistically significantly lower than the average activity of GPX in erythrocytes of the healthy control group (47.3 ±5.2 mU/ml) (p < 0.05). The average GPX activity in erythrocytes of the responder group was 34.93 ±3.17 mU/ml. It was statistically significantly higher than the average activity of GPX in erythrocytes of the non-responder group (11.7 ±4.2 mU/ml) (p < 0.05). Plasma MDA was significantly higher in naïve CHC patients than in healthy controls (9.7 ±3.7 nmol/ml vs. 3 ±1.1 nmol/ml, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, plasma MDA concentration was significantly decreased in the responder group (5.36 ±0.7 nmol/ml) and elevated in the non-responder group (16.05 ±2.9 nmol/ml).
Conclusions:
Lower pretreatment levels of GPX and higher MDA level might be markers of oxidative stress occurring in HCV patients. Reversal of changes of these levels with completion of the treatment may indicate a correlation between oxidative stress and the viral pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
01:21Hepatic Portal System
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is...
01:22Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...