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Published on: May 26, 2023
Assessment of antioxidant system status before and after operation in neonates with congenital heart disease
F Ozlu1, G A Demiray2, D Güneş3
1Department of Neonatology, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye.
Insights
This study found that glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels decreased after surgery in newborns with congenital heart disease (CHD). These oxidative stress biomarkers may be important for monitoring patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Oxidative stress plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns often requires surgical intervention.
- Evaluating the antioxidant system's status is crucial for understanding disease progression and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the antioxidant system status in newborns with CHD before and after surgery.
- To identify potential biomarkers of oxidative stress related to CHD and its treatment.
Main Methods:
- Studied 50 newborns with CHD undergoing surgery.
- Measured levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in blood.
- Recorded RACHS-1 score, lactate levels, and hypoxic events.
Main Results:
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and TBARS levels were significantly higher pre-operatively compared to post-operatively.
- Lower GPx activity correlated with fewer hypoxic events in discharged patients.
- A negative correlation was observed between SOD and GPx activities pre-operatively.
Conclusions:
- Post-operative reduction in GPx activity and TBARS levels indicates significant alterations in the antioxidant system.
- GPx appears crucial for resistance to hypoxic conditions in CHD patients.
- Further long-term monitoring is needed to understand antioxidant system changes and improve treatment strategies.
Background/Aim:
Oxidative stress is considered to have a significant role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as well as many other diseases. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the antioxidant system status at pre- and post-operative period in newborns with congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring operation.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty CHD patients participated in this research. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were studied in blood samples. RACHS-1 score, blood lactate levels, and hypoxic events were also recorded. Comparisons of antioxidant system parameters were conducted at pre- and post-operative periods and also between exitus and discharged groups.
Results:
GPx activity and TBARS levels were significantly higher in the pre-operative period than post-operative period though the other antioxidant enzymes were not altered. In pre-operative period, GPx activity was low in addition to rarer hypoxic events in the discharged group. Also, a negative correlation was found between SOD and GPx activities in pre-operative period.
Conclusion:
The results provide fundamental data showing the lowered GPx activity and TBARS levels considered as sensitive oxidative biomarkers after the operation. It was assumed that antioxidant system parameters might show changes after the operation, and GPx is prominent for resistance to hypoxic conditions. Post-operative reduction of GPx and TBARS levels is significant for evaluating the antioxidant system alterations after the operation. However, further investigations follow long-term duration for post-operative monitoring to estimate how antioxidant system status changes to improve the treatment of the health condition.

