Influence of cardiac resynchronization therapy on oxidative stress markers in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess changes of substances of oxidative stress in patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: The study comprised 51 patients with median age of 66 years. The presence, severity, and changes of oxidative stress during CRT were assessed and expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma or in red blood cells. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in red blood cells. The concentration and activities were analyzed directly prior to implantation, 2-5 days after the procedure and after 6 months. Follow-up (6 months) included clinical, echocardiographic and implanted device assessments. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 14% patients died. The median percentage of biventricular pacing was 99.29%. After 6 months 88% of patients improved NYHA, 12% remained as non-responders. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from median 21.5% to 29% (p < 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased significantly from a median of 69.5 mm to 63 mm (p < 0.05). After a 6-month study, MDA plasma concentration and the activity levels of each antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) showed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05). Changes concerning MDA concentrations in red blood cells remained statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Resynchronization effect oxidative stress by reducing plasma concentration of MDA, CAT, SOD and GPX.

Oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pathological skin lesions due to various exogenous and endogenous factors and associated with a number of biochemical and immunological disturbances. Antioxidant enzymes may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of lipid peroxidation products and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the blood of patients with psoriasis before and after treatment by conventional methods. MATERIAL/METHODS: The patient group consisted of 67 persons with psoriasis vulgaris who were treated at the Department and Clinic of Dermatology. The duration of the disease was from 3 to 34 years. All patients were treated topically. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was determined in the blood plasma. The activity of GPx was determined in erythrocytes. RESULTS: In the healthy persons, GPx activity was 16.8+/-3.7 U/g Hb and TBARS concentration 0.63+/-0.16 nmol MDA/ml of plasma. In the psoriasis patients, GPx activity in erythrocytes was 14.8+/-4.3 U/g Hb and TBARS concentration was 0.73+/-0.22 nmol MDA/ml of plasma before treatment. The applied external treatment caused improvement in the clinical state and a slow increase in GPx activity as well as a decrease in TBARS concentration to values comparable to those of the healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that disorders in antioxidant defense mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

[Changes in arylsulphatase activity in blood serum in patients with breast cancer before and after treatment]. / Zmiany aktywnosci arylosulfatazy w surowicy u chorych z rakiem sutka przed i po leczeniu.

We evaluated arylsulphatase activity in 52 women with breast cancer. In women with breast cancer this enzyme activity is 2,5-fold higher than in healthy women. After operation and chemiotherapy arylsulphatase activity decreased to normal values. There is correlation between enzyme activity and tumor size and number of metastases. In group with bigger tumor and higher number of metastases arylsulphatase activity is markedly higher.

Activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the level of lipid peroxidation products reactive with TBA in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of psoriasis, one of the most common chronic dermatoses, has not been elucidated yet. Involvement of antioxidant enzymes is suspected. The study aimed to determine the concentrations of lipid peroxidation products reactive with thiobarbituric acid and antioxidant enzymes activity. MATERIAL/METHODS: 67 patients of the Chair and Clinic of Dermatology (22 females and 45 males) with psoriasis vulgaris of 3 to 34 years' duration were examined. All were treated topically with preparations for external use. Smooth skin was treated with salicyl ointment, cignoline and tar, while salicyl oil and betamethasone dipropionide with salicylic acid was used on the scalp. Lipid peroxidation products reactive with TBA, expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, were determined in erythrocytes using Buege and Aust method. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were determined in erythrocytes according to Misra and Fridovich, and Beers and Sizer, respectively. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, SOD and CAT activity was 1049.2I261.9 U/gHb and 41.4I13.7 i 104 IU/gHb, respectively, and MDA concentration 35.8I10.5 nM/gHb. MDA concentrations in erythrocytes of psoriatic patients before treatment were 44% higher and SOD and CAT activities 20% and 27% lower, respectively, than those observed in the controls. Topical treatment improved the patients' clinical condition, resulting in slow increase of enzyme activity to values comparable with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the involvement of antioxidant enzymes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It is, however, questionable whether the observed abnormalities are responsible for the onset of psoriasis, or resultant from ongoing pathologic process.