Superoxide Dismutase Activity In Patients Research Articles

Considering SOD and miRNA analysis as potential prognostic markers in white lesion malignant transformation: A report of two cases.

Predictive biomarkers can be effective in the identification of the oral leukoplakia with an increased probability of malignant transformation. A 63-year-old patient presents with persistent burning sensations throughout the oral cavity, accompanied by a white lesion on the tongue. Additionally, a 57-year-old patient with multiple white lesions in the oral cavity. Histopathological analysis of the excised tissue. Changes in the expression miRNAs (miR17, miR206, and miR23), the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase), and concentration of reduced glutathione were detected, followed by meta-analysis of previous studies. In both patients (verrucous leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma) upregulated expression of miR-23a, miR-17, and downregulated expression of miR206 were detected when compared to healthy individuals. In the plasma of a patient diagnosed with carcinoma, higher activity of antioxidant enzymes connected to glutathione was measured in comparison to healthy individuals. The connection between miRNA expression changes, the increase in glutathione-S-transferase and especially the decrease in superoxide dismutase activities in patients with white lesion potential malignant transformation using the provided statistical analysis was confirmed.

Prognostic impact of pretreatment serum superoxide dismutase activity in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

To evaluate the prognostic effect of pretreatment serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A total of 498 patients diagnosed with stage III-IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma between January 2013 and December 2016 were involved in this study. The X-tile program was used to determine the cut-off value of pretreatment serum SOD activity based on disease-free survival. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of serum SOD levels on survival outcomes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the prognostic value of clinical stage, pretreatment serum SOD level, and the combination of them regarding disease-free survival. Based on the X-tile plot, the optimal cutoff value of pretreatment serum SOD activity for disease-free survival was 146.0U/mL. As a dichotomous variable, SOD was significantly higher in non-keratinizing differentiated disease (P = 0.027) and early T stage (P = 0.011). Compared with the lower subset, higher SOD activity predicted an inferior 3-year rates of overall survival (84.6 vs. 94.7%, P < 0.001), distant metastasis-free survival (78.3 vs. 92.8%, P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (78.2 vs. 92.8%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis verified that the SOD activity was an independent prognostic indicator to predict distant metastasis, disease progression, and death. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the combination was superior to that of clinical stage or SOD alone for disease-free survival (both P < 0.01). Serological SOD activity before treatment is an important prognostic indicator for patients with stage III-IV non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing chemoradiation therapy.

Стан здоров’я і показники стрес-регулюючих систем у дітей з кардіоревматологічними захворюваннями із зони антитерористичної операції

Мета: дати характеристику стану здоров’я дітей із зони антитерористичної операції (АТО) на сході України з кардіоревматологічною патологією і вивчити у них показники стрес-регулюючих систем. Матеріали та методи. Проведено клініко-інструментальне обстеження 126 дітей віком 8–18 років, із них 92 дитини із зони антитерористичної операції і 34 дитини-переселенця з Донецької та Луганської областей. Групу порівняння становили 509 дітей того ж віку з Харківської області і міста Харкова. Інтенсивність стрес-реалізуючих систем визначали за рівнем кортизолу, ТБК-активних продуктів і дієнових кон’югатів у сироватці крові, адреналіну і норадреналіну в добовій сечі. Стан стрес-лімітуючих систем оцінювали за вмістом серотоніну, відновленого глутатіону, активності глутатіонпероксидази і супероксиддисмутази (СОД) у крові і мелатоніну в сечі. Результати. У структурі соматичної патології у дітей і підлітків із зони військових дій на сході України кардіоревматологічні захворювання посідають друге місце, перше місце належить хворобам органів травлення. У 34,1 % дітей, які вперше потрапили в клініку інституту, погіршення стану здоров’я настало на тлі психоемоційного напруження і відсутності умов для лікування за основним місцем проживання. У структурі скарг пацієнтів переважали астеноневротичні, які вірогідно частіше зустрічалися у дітей першої групи. Також найчастіше діагностували різні психосоматичні розлади, захворювання органів травлення і ендокринопатії. Вивчення стрес-регулюючих систем у дітей із зони АТО виявило деякі відмінності в показниках з урахуванням нозологічної приналежності. Так, у хворих з серцево-судинною патологією відзначалася активація стрес-реалізуючих систем, а у дітей з ревматичними захворюваннями — напруга стрес-лімітуючих систем. Виявлені зміни рівня мелатоніну та активності СОД у пацієнтів із захворюваннями органів кровообігу із зони АТО свідчать про дисбаланс антиоксидантів ферментної і неферментної природи, що може призвести до виникнення оксидативного стресу як однієї зі складових посттравматичного стресового розладу. Таким чином, отримані дані необхідно враховувати при складанні індивідуальних програм відновного лікування дітям і підліткам з кардіоревматологічною патологією із зони військових дій з урахуванням супутньої патології. Висновки. У дітей із зони військових дій виявлено дисбаланс компонентів антиоксидантного стресу, відповідальних за стресостійкість організму до факторів пошкодження. Встановлено активацію стрес-реалізуючих систем при хворобах органів кровообігу і напругу стрес-лімітуючих систем при ревматичних захворюваннях.

Association between High On-Aspirin Platelet Reactivity and Reduced Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Patients Affected by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Primary Hypercholesterolemia.

Platelet hyperactivation is involved in the established prothrombotic condition of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and familial hypercholesterolemia (HC), justifying the therapy with aspirin, a suppressor of thromboxane synthesis through the irreversible inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, some patients on aspirin show a higher than expected platelet reactivity due, at least in part, to a pro-oxidant milieu. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet reactivity in T2DM (n = 103) or HC (n = 61) patients (aspirin, 100 mg/day) and its correlation with biomarkers of redox function including the superoxide anion scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the in vivo marker of oxidative stress urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α. As results, in T2DM and HC subjects the prevalence of high on-aspirin platelet reactivity was comparable when both non-COX-1-dependent and COX-1-dependent assays were performed, and platelet reactivity is associated with a lower SOD activity that in a stepwise linear regression appears as the only predictor of platelet reactivity. To conclude, in T2DM and HC, similarly, the impairment of redox equilibrium associated with a decrease of SOD activity could contribute to a suboptimal response to aspirin.

Taurine Intakes Increase Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis

The aim of this research was to determine the correlation between taurine intake with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. In OA, there is a state of oxidative stress that will increase the progression of osteoarthritis and the risk of disability. Superoxide dismutase is an enzymatic antioxidant which can suppress the increase of free radicals since early time. Taurine is known to have several roles in the human body, such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective. This study used cross sectional design involving 56 knee OA subjects’ grade II-IV, aged 40-60 years old that were recruited through consecutive sampling. Taurine intake was obtained by semiquantitative FFQ method. The SOD activity in whole blood was measured using RANSOD SD 125 with spectrophotometric method. The statistical analysis that had been done used SPSS with a correlation test. The intake of taurine was 59.77 mg per day and the SOD activity was 274.97 Unit per mL. This research found a significantly positive correlation (r = 0,284, p = 0,034) between taurine intakes and SOD activity in patients with knee OA. For the conclusion the taurine intake may have a role with the SOD activity in patients with knee OA.

Atorvastatin Reduces Plasma Inflammatory and Oxidant Biomarkers in Patients With Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with endothelial injury and coronary artery disease. Inflammatory factors that promote oxidative damage include endothelin-1 (ET-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Current guidelines recommend the use of statins in patients with risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). To assess the impact of atorvastatin on plasma inflammatory and oxidant biomarkers in patients with moderate to very high risk of ASCVD. Two hundred ten patients presented to the cardiology clinic were included and stratified into low, moderate, high, and very high risk of ASCVD. Moderate- (20 mg/d) to high-intensity (40 mg/d) atorvastatin was prescribed. Plasma levels of lipids, ET-1, CRP, MPO, total nitrite, lipid peroxides (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment. Relative to low-risk patients, baseline plasma inflammatory markers of CRP, MPO, ET-1, and nitrite were higher in patients with very high risk of ASCVD, whereas plasma SOD was lower (all P < .05). Use of high and moderate atorvastatin therapy significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels, as well as plasma levels of CRP, MPO, nitrite, and TBARS, and increased plasma SOD activity in patients with moderate to very high risk of ASCVD, independent of lipid-lowering effects. Key markers of oxidative stress/inflammation such as CRP, ET-1, total nitrite, and MPO are associated with an increased risk of ASCVD. Moderate- and high-intensity atorvastatin use reduces plasma oxidative stress and inflammation regardless of ASCVD risk and independent of its lipid-lowering effect.

Evaluation of Serum Trace Element Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Translating Basic Research into Clinical Application.

The relationship of minerals and trace elements with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex. Alterations in their metabolism can be induced by the diseases and their complications. To study the role of trace elements in IBD patients' serum zinc and copper and their related enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), activity were measured in patients with IBD patients as well as in healthy subjects. In addition, the correlation between serum trace element levels, albumin, total protein, urea level, copper/zinc ratio, and disease activity (DA) was determined in these subjects. Serum samples were obtained from 35 patients (19 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 16 Crohn's disease (CD)) in the active phase of the disease and 30 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of zinc, copper, SOD activity, albumin, total protein, and urea were measured. The results were compared between the two groups using independent Student's t test in statistical analysis. Serum levels of zinc, SOD activity, albumin, and total protein were significantly lower (P<0.05) in patients than controls, while serum urea level was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Copper concentrations did not differ between patients with IBD (mean±SD, 58.8±20.7μg/d) and controls (55.57±12.6μg/d). Decreased levels of zinc and SOD activity are associated with increased inflammatory processes indicating inappropriate antioxidant system in patients with IBD. Additionally, lower levels of albumin and total protein with higher level of urea reflect metabolic problems in liver system.

Alterations of Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase activity in patients suffering from asthma attacks

Oxidant-antioxidant imbalance may play an important role in the development and progression of bronchial asthma. However, the role of blood antioxidants especially in asthma exacerbation has not been fully discussed. This study examines a part of the intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism in asthmatic patients admitted to hospital due to severe exacerbation of their disease. Peripheral blood Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was measured in 38 patients (33 men - 5 women, with a mean age of 56 +/- 2.8 yrs), using a colorimetric method. On the days of admission and discharge the Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and the Partial arterial Oxygen pressure (PaO2) were recorded and correlated with SOD activity at the same time. A statistically significant decrease of SOD activity was observed on the day of admission compared to SOD activity on the day of discharge (43.64 +/- 31.78 vs. 96.16 +/- 54.05 units/ml, p < 0.001), suggesting the presence of oxidative stress during an asthma attack. A statistically significant correlation was observed between FEV1 on admission and SOD activity at the same time (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Furthermore, SOD activity on admission was correlated with PaO2 on discharge (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), as well as SOD on discharge with PaO2 on discharge (r = 0.53, p = 0.001). Decreased systemic erythrocyte SOD activity was observed during asthma attacks. This activity was correlated with severity criteria such as FEV1 and PaO2. Therefore, it seems that measurement of SOD activity could be a useful tool in the evaluation of an asthma attack. The supplementary administration of antioxidants in the future needs further clarification.

Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase Activity is Higher in Younger Than in Older Schizophrenics

Introduction Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the critical enzyme in the detoxification of superoxide radicals because those are the first species produced in the majority of biological free radical producing reactions. Inconsistent data are present about SOD activity in patients with schizophrenia. Aims To compare erythrocyte SOD activity in schizophrenic patients who were randomly selected, and separately in the subgroup of patients younger than 34 years. Methods This study included 68 consecutive patients with schizophrenia (29 males and 39 females) mean age 32.7±9.4 years. The results of whole group were tested with 59 healthy controls and with the subgroup of patients younger than 34 years. SOD activity was measured in erythrocyte hemolysates by Ransod commercially available test. Results When we tested the whole patient group SOD activity was not significantly different between the healthy controls and schizophrenics. In the subgroup of patients younger than 34 years SOD levels were significantly higher (1525±279 U/gHb, p Conclusion Our results showed that SOD activity is significantly increased in the early phase of the disease, and then declined to control values.

Superoxide dismutase activity in patients of cerebral malaria

ObjectiveTo estimate superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum in the cases of cerebral malaria. MethodsThe diagnosis of cerebral malaria was made clinically and by Giemsa stained peripheral blood smear examination, quantitative buffy coat (QBC) examination and rapid antigen detection test (RDT). Parasitemia per micro litre of blood was evaluated by counting 200 white blood corpuscles and used to calculate parasite density considering 8000 white blood corpuscles per micro litre. SOD activity was estimated by the method given by Joe M. McCord and Irwin Fridovich spectrophotometrically. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software version 17. ResultsThe SOD activity in the cases was found to be (1.06 ± 0.50) nmol/mL and that in the controls was (3.55 ± 0.07) nmol/mL. The SOD activity in the cases was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) as compared to the controls. The Pearson's coefficient of correlation between SOD activity and parasitemia was found to be −0.93 showing strong negative relationship. ConclusionsThere is severe oxidative stress in falciparum malaria due to reactive oxygen species and supplementation of antioxidants may modify the course and outcome of the disease.

Cardiovascular effects of copper deficiency on activity of superoxide dismutase in diabetic nephropathy.

Background:Copper (Cu) is essential both for its role in antioxidant enzymes, like Cu/zinc (Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin, as well as its role in lysyl oxidase, essential for the strength and integrity of the heart and blood vessels. With such a central role in cardiovascular health, Cu has been generally overlooked in the debate over improving our cardiovascular health. Cu deficiency has produced many of the same abnormalities present in cardiovascular disease. It seems almost certain that Cu plays a large role in the development of this killer disease, not because of its excess in the diet, but rather its deficiency.Aim:This study was undertaken to investigate the cardiovascular effects of Cu deficiency on the activity of SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without diabetic nephropathy.Materials and Methods:Fifty-five patients with T2DM were recruited in this study which were divided into two subgroups based on the presence of microalbuminuria, the first group (microal buminuric group, n = 31) had a microalbuminuria between 30 and 299 μg/mg. The second group (normoal buminuric group, n = 29) had an albumin level less than 30 μg/mg. The two diabetic groups were compared to the control group (n = 37).Results:The results of our study showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD enzyme associated with an increased urinary Cu excretion in microalbuminuric group compared to the control group at P < 0.05.Conclusions:The current study illustrates that the regulation of the blood concentrations of Cu may be a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Effect of zinc supplementation on superoxide dismutase activity in patients with ulcerative rectocolitis.

Ulcerative rectocolitis is characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus, the organism activates the antioxidant defence system in an attempt to reduce the excessive production of reactive oxygen species or neutralize them. This study evaluated the effect of zinc supplementation on the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with ulcerative rectocolitis. The study included 24 patients, aged between 20 and 59 years and diagnosed with ulcerative rectocolitis, in the remission stage of the disease, who were divided into two groups: experimental - deficient in zinc (n=12) and control - normal or high zinc (n=12). Only the first group underwent supplement intervention, in the form of zinc gluconate (30 mg Zn/day), taken daily in the morning, fasted for 60 days. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The erythrocyte SOD activity was determined in vitro according to the methodology recommended by the manufacturer Randox. Zinc supplementation caused a significant increase in the plasma concentrations of the mineral, and showed a significant reduction in erythrocyte zinc, remaining within normal limits. The SOD activity was high in patients of both the experimental and control groups, with no difference after supplementation. This study demonstrates that zinc supplementation improves the homeostatic condition of the mineral, with no change in SOD activity, as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative rectocolitis.

Vitamin E Supplementation, Superoxide Dismutase Status, and Outcome of Scaling and Root Planing in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study investigates the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). In addition, the outcome of scaling and root planing (SRP) with and without vitamin E supplementation is evaluated in terms of changes in periodontal parameters and SOD activity in patients with CP. Serum and salivary SOD activity in 38 patients with CP were compared with those of 22 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (control group). At periodontal examination, serum and saliva samples were obtained. Patients with CP were randomly divided into treatment groups 1 (TG-1) and 2 (TG-2). SRP was performed for both groups, and TG-2 also received 200 mg (300 IU) vitamin E every other day. Periodontal parameters and SOD activity were evaluated after 3 months. SOD activity was determined using an SOD assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader at 450 nm. SOD activity in both serum (P <0.05) and saliva (P <0.001) was lower in patients with CP compared with controls. After 3 months of follow-up, SOD activity improved in both treatment groups; however, the improvement in TG-2 was higher than in TG-1, along with more improvement in periodontal parameters. Serum SOD levels in TG-2 increased even above the level of the control group. Systemic and local SOD levels are lowered in CP. Adjunctive vitamin E supplementation improves periodontal healing as well as antioxidant defense.

Changes in oxidative stress markers in patients with schizophrenia: The effect of antipsychotic drugs

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels or activities of oxidative stress markers in patients with schizophrenia in acute phase and evaluate the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) after treatment. We consecutively enrolled 41 patients with schizophrenia in acute phase, and 27 patients were followed up with a 4-week antipsychotic treatment. Serum oxidative stress markers were measured with assay kits. We found that Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores were significantly negatively correlated with serum GPx activity and GSH levels and positively correlated with serum SOD activity in patients with schizophrenia in acute phase. In addition, serum GPx activity had a positive correlation with GSH levels and negative correlation with SOD activity. We also found that serum SOD activity was significantly negatively correlated with TBARS levels in patients in acute phase. Furthermore, we found significantly increased changes only in GPx activity in female patients receiving the 4-week treatment (P=0.006). In conclusion, our results suggest that SOD, GPX and GSH might be indicators of schizophrenia severity in acute phase. Furthermore, antipsychotic drugs might affect serum GPx activity in female patients receiving the 4-week treatment.

Oxidative stress status in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterized by chest pain, typical angina pectoris, abnormal exercise test result and normal coronary arteries. Microvascular dysfunction and enhanced oxidative stress are the mechanisms suspected to play an important role in the pathogenesis of CSX. Thus we aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress status of 28 patients with CSX (14 male/14 female, mean age 49.5 9.3 years) and 24 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (10 male/14 female, mean age 45.6 5.7 years). Blood samples were drawn for measurement of malodialdehyde (MDA), as a marker of lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as antioxidant markers and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), as a marker of total antioxidant capacity. There was significant increase in the levels of MDA in CSX patients comparing to controls (3.8 0.12 vs 3.3 0.14 mM, respectively; p = 0.006). But the levels of FRAP in CSX patients were significantly lower than those controls (504 19 vs 568 26 µM, respectively; p = 0.046). Also, GSH levels and SOD activity in patients were significantly lower than those of the controls (GSH: 133.6 5.4 vs 152.5 7.8 mmol/g Hb, p = 0.048; SOD: 386 34 vs 578 38 U/g Hb, p = 0.0001). It may be concluded that there is systemic oxidative stress in CSX patients. Considerable changes of antioxidant concentrations, indicating a compensatory mechanism to cope with increased oxidative stress in CSX patients and the body's antioxidant defence mechanisms try to minimize oxidative stress damage.

Leukocyte superoxide dismutase activity in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder of the hematopoieticcell and is associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome. Clinically, CML is often divided into three phases; CML typically begins in the chronic phase (CML-CP) and in the absence of intervention and over the course of several years progresses to an accelerated phase (CML-AP) and ultimately to blast crisis. Blast crisis is the terminal phase of CML and clinically behaves like acute leukemia(1). Free radicals can be key contributory agents in a number of human diseases, including cancer and leukaemia(2,3). These free radicals can be generated within the cell not only by external sources of radiation but also within the body as a by-product of normal metabolic processes which include the electron transport chain, drugs, pollutants, and chemicals including toxins, collectively termed as xenobiotics. Thus, antioxidants which balance the oxidative stress state represent a major line of defense in regulating the overall true state of health(2). Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) can directly counter the oxidants and may protect cells against oxidative stress. Studies show that cancer cells have abnormal activities of SOD enzymes when compared to an appropriate normal counterpart. There are no available publications regarding the relationship between leukocyte SOD enzyme activity in CML and its progression. The present study was planned to propose leukocyte SOD activity as a possible biomarker for oxidative stress in CML and its correlation with the progressive phases of CML.

Estado nutricional del zinc y actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease promotes changes in the zinc nutritional status and in the antioxidant defense system. This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of the zinc nutritional status and the activity of superoxide dismutase in patients with chronic renal failure who are receiving hemodialysis. Methods: 134 individuals, aged between 18 and 85 years, were divided into two groups: case group (hemodialyzed patients, n = 63) and control group (n = 71). Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme was determined according to Ransod kit. Results: The mean values of plasma zinc were 62.02 ± 13.59 μg/dL and 65.58 ± 8.88 μg/dL, and for erythrocytary zinc the values were 54.52 ± 22.82 μgZn/gHb and 48.01 ± 15.08 μgZn/gHb for the chronic renal patients and the control group, respectively. The activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly lower in patients when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The activity of superoxide dismutase in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis, which is influenced by zinc concentracions, was significantly lower. There was an inadequate response of this enzyme to oxidative stress in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Change of Zinc, Copper, and Metallothionein Concentrations and the Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Patients With Pancreatitis

The aims of the present studies were to measure the concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and metallothionein and the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity as elements engaged in an essential manner in the prooxidative and antioxidative balance of organism and to demonstrate the degree to which metallothionein and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase are involved in the inflammatory processes occurring in the pancreas. The concentration of metallothionein was measured by immunoenzymatic method. Serum Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity was determined using a commercial test. The measurements of Zn and Cu concentrations in serum were assessed with the use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Lowered serum Zn concentration and higher Cu level were observed in the serum of patients with chronic exacerbated pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. The significant increase of metallothionein concentration and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the blood of patients with chronic exacerbated pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. In slices of the pancreas during pancreatitis, we observed in immunohistochemical reaction the variable involvement of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and metallothionein. The results presented in these studies indicate an essential and variable involvement of antioxidants such Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and metallothionein and disordered Cu and Zn homeostasis depending on the progression of inflammatory processes in patients with pancreatitis.

Change of Zinc, Copper, and Metallothionein Concentrations and the Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Patients With Pancreatitis

Pancreas provides a central forum for communication of original works involving both basic and clinical research on the exocrine and endocrine pancreas and their interrelationships and consequences in disease states. This multidisciplinary, international journal covers the whole spectrum of basic sciences, etiology, prevention, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surgical and medical management of pancreatic diseases, including cancer.

Tissue and blood superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde levels in different clinical severities of acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. To determine the role of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris and to determine a possible link with the clinical severity. Twenty-three patients with different grades of acne vulgaris and 23 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically at tissue and blood levels. There were no significant differences in SOD activities and MDA levels between patients and controls. However, significant differences were found in patients with severe acne in comparison with those with mild and moderate acne. Moreover, comparison between different patient subgroups and controls revealed statistically significantly higher SOD activities in patients with mild acne in comparison with patients with moderate and severe acne, and with controls. Furthermore, severe acne showed statistically significantly lower SOD activities and higher MDA levels when compared with other patient subgroups and controls. Oxidative stress exists in patients with acne vulgaris and may play a role in aetiopathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. The addition of drugs with antioxidative effects seems to be valuable in the treatment of acne vulgaris.