Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Oxidative Stress Indexes in Patients with Coronary Artery...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

• Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a significant predictor of mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD).
• The underlying biological mechanisms connecting RDW and CAD are not fully understood.
• Oxidative stress is a potential contributing factor to the observed association between RDW and CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between RDW and markers of oxidative stress in patients diagnosed with CAD.
• To explore whether oxidative stress plays a role in elevated RDW levels observed in CAD patients.

Main Methods:

• Studied 112 patients with stable CAD, unstable CAD, and non-CAD controls.
• Measured plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS) using fluorometric methods.
• Assessed plasma glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) via spectrophotometric methods.

Main Results:

• Erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS) was significantly higher in stable CAD patients compared to non-CAD controls.
• Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly lower in both stable and unstable CAD groups versus controls.
• A direct association was observed between erythrocyte membrane TBARS and RDW across all study groups.

Conclusions:

• An independent association exists between RDW levels and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation in CAD patients.
• Oxidative stress, indicated by lipid peroxidation, is a potential biological mechanism contributing to increased RDW in CAD.
• These findings highlight the role of oxidative stress in RDW variations within the context of coronary artery disease.