Prooxidant-antioxidant balance as a new risk factor in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Determination of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD+) by a modified PAB assay and presentation of PAB value as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. DESIGN AND METHODS: For 61 patients with CAD+ and 63 healthy volunteers, the PAB were measured and its correlation was determined with anthropological and clinical parameters. RESULTS: A significant increase of the PAB value was observed in patients in comparison to control group. A correlation, which is not quite significant, was noted between angiographic finding (number of diseased vessel) and the PAB values in patients. A significant positive correlation was established between the PAB value and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, fasting blood sugar and serum urea concentration; and a significant negative correlation was established between PAB value and serum creatinine and bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the PAB value may be considered as a cardiovascular risk factor. Further clinical research is needed to substantiate the potency of the PAB value as a cardiovascular risk factor.

A novel assay for the evaluation of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance, before and after antioxidant vitamin administration in type II diabetes patients.

OBJECTIVES: The application of a novel assay for the direct measurement of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in type II diabetes and the evaluation of antioxidant therapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: The assay is based on 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and its cation, used as a redox indicator participating in two simultaneous reactions. PAB was determined in the sera of healthy volunteers and type II diabetes patients. The results were compared with clinical and biological parameters, protein oxidation markers, as well as the results of antioxidant and prooxidant assays. PAB, after administration of vitamins C and E for 1 day, 1 month and 2 months was also determined. RESULTS: Increased PAB was found in the patients' group and correlated with parameters involved in diabetic complications, protein oxidation markers, antioxidant and prooxidant assays. One day after vitamin administration, a significant shift of PAB towards antioxidants was observed. PAB remained unchanged after 1 month and changed marginally in favor of prooxidants in the second month of the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the measurement of PAB may be useful to identify and follow-up patients who need antioxidant therapy.

The administration of estrogens, combined with anti-androgens, has beneficial effects on the hormonal features and asymmetric dimethyl-arginine levels, in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The present study was designed in order to: (a) compare ET-1 and ADMA levels, between women with PCOS (n=106) and healthy controls (n=30); (b) determine the effects of treatment with estrogens and anti-androgens on the hormonal features of PCOS, insulin resistance, ET-1 and ADMA levels. Women with PCOS were randomized in five therapeutic protocols: (I) 17beta-estradiol+cyproterone acetate 50mg; (II) conjugated estrogen+CA 50 mg; (III) ethinyl estradiole+CA 2mg; (IV) EE+CA 52 mg; (V) EE+desogestrel. In all women, gonadotropin, PRL, androgen, SHBG, insulin, glucose, ET-1 and ADMA levels were determined; in women with PCOS, testosterone, SHBG, ET-1 and ADMA levels were measured again after 3, 6, 12 months of treatment and insulin and glucose levels after 12 months. ET-1 and ADMA concentrations were higher in women with PCOS, and they were positively correlated with each other. ADMA levels were decreased and IR was increased with treatment. Treatment with synthetic estrogens (EE) resulted in a more pronounced increase in SHBG and a more pronounced decrease in FAI, compared to natural estrogens. Conclusively, PCOS is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is ameliorated by the administration of estrogens and anti-androgens, independent of IR.