Serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress levels in patients with cutaneous anthrax.

INTRODUCTION: Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by the aerobic sporeforming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It has been suggested that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of B. anthracis. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, catalase activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in patients with cutaneous anthrax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with cutaneous anthrax and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The serum MDA levels, SOD levels, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and catalase activities were measured using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The serum SOD levels, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and catalase activities were significantly lower in patients with cutaneous anthrax than in controls (for all, p < 0.001), whereas MDA levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between serum paraoxonase activity, arylesterase activity, SOD levels, and MDA levels (all, p > 0.05) in patients with cutaneous anthrax. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was the first to show decreased antioxidant levels and increased oxidant levels in patients with cutaneous anthrax. Therefore, decreased PON1 activity may play a role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous anthrax.

Association of paraoxonase activity and atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: The hepatitis B virus is a significant pathogen that causes cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer as a result of the damage it causes to liver cells. Its infection affects more than 400 million people globally. Although there is an effective vaccine and treatment methods, almost 1, 000, 000 people die every year. OBJECTIVE: To investigate paraoxonase and arylesterase activities along with oxidative status parameters and serum lipid levels, and to find out if there is any increased susceptibility to atherogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects with chronic hepatitis B and 39 healthy subjects as control were enrolled in the study. Age, body mass index and gender, Serum Triglycerides (TG), High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities were determined. Oxidative and antioxidative statuses were evaluated by measuring serum-free sulfhydryl groups, lipid hydroperoxide levels, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index. RESULTS: Serum TG and LDL levels were higher while serum HDL levels were lower in patients with chronic hepatitis B than in controls but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities, plasma free sulfhydryl groups, and total antioxidant capacity were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p=0.018, p=0.005, p<0.001, p=0.037 respectively), while lipid hydroperoxide, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index were significantly higher (for all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The diminution in the paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities could contribute to the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.