Exploring the oxidative and inflammatory markers landscape in Buerger's disease: A comparative analysis

Buerger's disease (BD) is characterized by inflammation and blood clotting in smaller to medium-sized blood vessels of the extremities. This study aimed to explore oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in BD compared to healthy smokers.

A case-control study was conducted, involving 10 BD patients and 10 healthy smokers as controls, with average ages of 39.4 and 53.6 years, respectively. Various serum parameters, including total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), antioxidant status (glutathione [GSH], antioxidant capacity [TAC], malondialdehyde [MDA]), and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], nitric oxide [NO]), were assessed.

Circulating levels of total TAC (P = 0.01), TG (P < 0.01), TCh (P < 0.01), LDL (P = 0.028), MDA (P = 0.01), and CRP (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in BD patients compared to healthy smokers. No significant differences were found in VLDL-C (P = 0.42), GSH (P = 0.1), and NO (P = 0.82) activity. Additionally, TAC and HDL-C (P = 0.016) were significantly lower in BD patients.

Overall, our study reveals notable serum distinctions between BD patients and healthy smokers. BD patients exhibit reduced antioxidant levels, increased oxidative stress, lower HDL levels, and elevated LDL, total cholesterol, and borderline high triglyceride levels.