Interaction of Oxidative Stress and the Clinical Course of Chronic Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

A total of 360 patients with different stage of chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) were studied. Of these, 180 patients, observed for 12 months from initial assessment, were divided into two groups depending on the course of illness – favorable (stable) and unfavorable (progressive or with acute episodes of impaired cerebral circulation). Markers of oxidative stress were assessed in terms of the level of lipid (malondialdehyde) and protein (carbonyl protein oxidation products, plasma SH groups levels, and accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in plasma. Along with measures of oxidative stress, the binding capacity of albumin was also determined, using the fluorescent probe K-35. Initial values for these markers were measured, along with concentrations after copper ion-induced oxidation of plasma. The greatest increases in measures of oxidative stress were seen in patients with acute episodes of circulatory failure. Significant differences were found in measures of oxidative stress in groups of patients with different clinical variants of the course of CCI and qualitative and quantitative diagnostic criteria suggesting an unfavorable course of illness and the risk of developing stroke were established. The ability to diagnose a prognostically unfavorable course of illness allows appropriate treatment to be started in a timely fashion.