A study on relationship of nitric oxide,oxidation,peroxidation,lipoperoxidation with chronic cholecystitis

AIM:To study relationship of injury induced by nitric oxide, oxidation, peroxidation,lipoperoxidation with chronic cholecystitis.METHODS:The values of plasma nitric oxide (P-NO), plasma vitamin C (P-VC), plasma vitamin E (P-VE), plasma beta-carotene (P-beta-CAR), plasma lipoperoxides (P-LPO), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), erythrocyte catalase (E-CAT), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (E-GSH-Px) activities and erythrocyte lipoperoxides (E-LPO) level in 77 patients with chronic cholecystitis and 80 healthy control subjects were determined, differences of the above average values between the patient group and the control group and differences of the average values between preoperative and postoperative patients were analyzed and compared, linear regression and correlation of the disease course with the above determination values as well as the stepwise regression and correlation of the course with the values were analyzed.RESULTS:Compared with the control group, the average values of P-NO, P-LPO, E-LPO were significantly increased (P【0.01), and of P-VC, P-VE, P-beta-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px decreased (P 【0.01) in the patient group. The analysis of the linear regression and correlation showed that with prolonging of the course, the values of P-NO, P-LPO and E-LPO in the patients were gradually ascended and the values of P-VC,P-VE, P-beta-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px descended (P【0.01). The analysis of the stepwise regression and correlation indicated that the correlation of the course with P-NO, P-VE and P-beta-CAR values was the closest. Compared with the preoperative patients, the average values of P-NO, P-LPO and E-LPO were significantly decreased (P 【0.01) and the average values of P-VC, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px in postoperative patients increased (P 【0.01) in postoperative patients. But there was no significant difference in the average values of P-VE, P-beta-CAR preoperative and postoperative patients.CONCLUSION:Chronic cholecystitis could induce the increase of nitric oxide, oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation.

Changes of Liver Microsomal Drug-metabolizing System and Lipoperoxidation Activity in Scalded Rats and the Effects of Silybin

The dynamic changes of liver microsomal drug-metabolizing system (MDMS) andlipoperoxidation were studied in scalded rats. The effects of treatment with vitamin E and silybinwere also evaluated. The results showeed that liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, and p-nitroanisole demethylase (P-NOD) and aniline hydroxylase (AH) activity decreased markedlypostburn. On the contrary, liver lipoperoxide and mierosomal lipoperoxidation increased significantlyafter scalding. Both the increase of liver lipoperoxide and mierosomal lipoperoxidation and the de-crease of MDMS activity were prevented by vitamin E and silybin treatments.

Inhibition of Probimane on Lipoperoxidation of Human Red Cells in Vitro

To investigate the influence of probimane on the lipoperoxidation of human red cells in vitro. Malondialdehyde (MDA) of human red cells induced by hydrogen peroxide was assayed by means of colorimetry. It was shown that probimane ( > 2 μM ) could inhibit the lipoperoxidation without adriamycin. The inhibitory rates of probimane were 9.3 % ( 2 μM ) and 35.3 % ( 10 μM ) respectively ( P< 0.05). Probimane ( 2 μM ) inhibited lipoperoxidation in the presence of sialic acid ( 0.4 μM ) ( inhibitory rate 17.8 % ) was approximately two fold higher than those without sialic acid ( inhibitory rate 9.3 % ). So probimane may inhibit tumor growth through affecting lipoperoxidations and exhibit anticancer effects via sialic acids.

Primary studies on heroin abuse and injury induced by oxidation and lipoperoxidation

Objective To further reveal serious risks of heroin abuse to human body and clarify grave injuries of oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals to heroin abusers Methods Determined and compared plasma levels of nitric oxide (P NO), vitamin C (P VC), vitamin E (P VE), β carotene (P β CAR), lipoperoxides (P LPO) and erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase (E SOD), catalase (E CAT), glutathione peroxidase (E GSH Px) and erythrocyte level of lipoperoxides (E LPO) in 137 cases of heroin abusers (HAs) and 100 cases of healthy volunteers (HVs), used linear regression and correlation, stepwise regression and correlation to analyze correlation among heroin abusing duration (HAD), daily heroin abusing quantity (DHAQ) with above determination values in the HAs Results Compared with the above average values in the HVs group, the average values of P NO, P LPO, E LPO in the HAs group were significantly increased ( P <0 0001), the average values of P VC, P VE, P β CAR, E SOD, E CAT and E GSH Px were significantly decreased ( P <0 0001); the analysis of linear regression and correlation showed that with ascending of the HAD and DHAQ in the HAs, the values of P NO, P LPO, E LPO were gradually increased ( P <0 0001), the values of P VC, P VE, P β CAR, E SOD, E CAT, E GSH Px were gradually decreased ( P <0 0001); the analysis of stepwise regression and correlation suggested that the correlation among the HAD, DHAQ with the values of P NO, P VC, P VE was the closest Conclusion The balance between oxidation and antioxidation in the HAs was seriously destroyed, and the injuries induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals, oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation reactions to the body of HAs gravely exacerbated In the abstaining from heroin dependence, therefore, it should consider that sufficient quantum antioxidants such as VC, VE and β CAR are dosed to the HAs so as to abate the injuries to their bodies

Abnormal Reactions of Free Radicals and Oxidative Damages in the Bodies of Patients With Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Objective To study the abnormal reactions of a series of free radicals and the oxidative damages induced by free radical abnormal reactions in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods Eighty chronic glomerulonephritis patients (CGNP) and eighty healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (?CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric assays. Results Compared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HAV group, the average values of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while those of VC, VE and -CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of the concentration of blood creatinine as well as prolongation of the course of disease in the CGNP, the concentrations of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP increased gradually, while the concentrations of VC, VE and ?CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP decreased gradually (P = 0.002454 0.000001). The relative risk ratio (RR) of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damages in the bodies of CGNP ranged from 6.061 to 72.429. The reliability coefficient (alpha) that the above biochemical parameters were used to reflect the oxidative damages of the CGNP was 0.8137, standardized item alpha = 0.9728, Hotelling抯 T-Squared = 1135680.191, F = 53274.6478, P = 0.000001. Conclusions The findings in this study show that in the bodies of CGNP a series of free radical chain reactions result in severe pathological aggravation and induce oxidative damages in their bodies. Therefore, suitable dose of antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate oxidative damages in their bodies.

Oxidative Stress and Free Radical Damage in Patients With Acute Dipterex Poisoning

Objective To investigate whether acute dipterex poisoning (ADP) may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage in the bodies of acute dipterex poisoning patients (ADPPs), and to explore the mechanisms by which ADP may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage. Methods Fifty ADPPs and fifty healthy adult volunteers (HAVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched with the ADPPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and P-carotene (P-CAR) in plasma as well as concentration of lipoperoxide (LPO), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. Results Compared with the average values of experimental parameters in the HAVs group, the average values of plasma NO and erythrocyte LPO in the ADPPs group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of plasma VC, VE and P-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in the ADPPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Bivariate correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis suggested that when NO and LPO values were increased, and VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX values were decreased in the ADPPs, AChE value was decreased gradually in the ADPPs (P<0.001-0.0001). Reliability analysis of experimental parameters reflecting oxidative stress and free radical damage in the ADPPs showed that the reliability coefficient (8 items) alpha=0.6909, and the standardized item alpha=0.8574. Conclusion The findings in the present study suggest that ADP can cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, and inhibit markedly erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in ADPPs.

Ozone Emitted During Copying Process-A Potential Cause of Pathological Oxidative Stress and Potential Oxidative Damage in the Bodies of Operators

To estimate the impact of copying on the indoor air quality, and to investigate whether ozone emitted during such a process induces pathological oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of operators. Methods 67 copying operators (CO) and 67 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which levels of lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and erythrocytes, and levels of vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and b-carotene (b-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results Compared with the HV group, the average values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of VC, VE and b-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of ozone level in copying sites and duration of exposure to ozone, the values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the bodies of operators were gradually increased,while those of VC, VE, b-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased in the same manner. Odds ratio (OR) of risk of biochemical parameters reflecting potential oxidative damage of the copying operators ranged from 4.440 to 13.516, and 95 % CI of OR was from 2.113 to 34.061. Reliability coefficient () of the biochemical parameters used to reflect the potential oxidative damage of the operators was 0.8156, standardized item =0.9929, P<0.0001. Conclusion Findings in the present study suggest that there exist a series of free radical chain reactions and pathological oxidative stress induced by high dose ozone in the operators, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Increased Oxidative Stress in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Objective To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension （PIH） may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Methods Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy （UNP） whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide （NO）, vitamin C （VC）, vitamin E （VE）, and β-carotene （β-CAR） as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde （MDA）, and activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） were determined by spcctrophotometry. Results Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased （P〈0.0001）, while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and β-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased （P〈0.0005-0.0001）. The findings from partial correlation analysis （controlling for age） for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, MDA value gradually increased （P〈0.001）, and NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased （P〈0.02-0.001）. The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients （alpha, 8 items） = 0.7062, P〈 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P〈 0.0001. Conclusion The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin

The use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses has been reported since ancestral times.In the case of hepatic diseases,several species such as Silybum marianum,Phyllanthus niruri,and Panus giganteus(Berk.)have been shown to ameliorate hepatic lesions.Silymarin is a natural compound derived from the species Silybum marianum,which is commonly known as Milk thistle.This plant contains at least seven flavoligands and the flavonoid taxifolin.The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of silymarin is caused by its ability to inhibit the free radicals that are produced from the metabolism of toxic substances such as ethanol,acetaminophen,and carbon tetrachloride.The generation of free radicals is known to damage cellular membranes and cause lipoperoxidation.Silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione and may contribute to the antioxidant defense of the liver.It has also been shown that silymarin increases protein synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating RNA polymerase I activity.A previous study on humans reported that silymarin treatment caused a slight increase in the survival of patients with cirrhotic alcoholism compared with untreated controls.

Oxidative stress and damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions and IgA nephropathy

Objective: To estimate the oxidative stress and oxidative damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients' bodies. Methods: Seventy-two IgA N patients (IgANP) and 72 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study design, in which the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric mothods. Results: Compared with the HAV group, the averages of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly increased (P＜0.0001), while those ofVC, VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly decreased (P＜0.0001). Linear correlation analysis showed that with the increase of the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes, and with the decrease of those ofVC, VE, β-CAR,SOD, CAT and GPX in the IgAN patients, the degree of histological damage of tubulointerstitial regions was increased gradually (P＜0.0001); and that with the prolongation of the duration of disease the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes were increased gradually, while those of VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased gradually (P＜0.005). The discriminatory correct rates of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damage of the IgAN patients were 73.8%-92.5%, and the correct rates for the HAV were 70.0%-91.3% when independent discriminant analysis was used; and the correct rate for the IgAN patients was increased to 98.8%, the correct rate for the HAV was increased to 100% when stepwise discriminant analysis was used. The above biochemical parameters' reliability coefficient (alpha) were used to estimate the oxidative damage of the IgAN patients as 0.8145, the standardized item alpha=0.9730, F=53273.5681, P＜0.0001. Conclusions: A series of free radical chain reactions caused serious pathological aggravation in the IgANP' bodies, thus resulting in oxidative damage in their bodies. In treating IgANP, therefore, it is necessary that suitable dose antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate the oxidative damage in their bodies.

Potential Oxidative Stress in the Bodies of Electric Arc Welding Operators: Effect of Photochemical Smog

Objective To investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators. Methods Seventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. Results Compared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P<0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P<0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P<0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P<0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P<0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P<0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients?alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P<0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P<0.0001. Conclusion Findings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Inhibition of Probimane on Lipid Peroxidation of Rabbit and Human Erythrocytes

Lipid peroxide (LPO) plays pivotal roles in the process and development of many diseases. In this work, we studied the inhibitory effect of probimane (Pro), a Chinese anticancer agent, on erythrocyte LPO and the interaction of Pro with sialic acids (sia). Malondialdehyde (MDA) of erythrocytes activated by hydrogen peroxide was measured. Pro was found to inhibit the product of LPO induced by hydrogen peroxide in a non-enzyme system of both rabbit and human erythrocytes in the absence of doxorubicin. Sia were found to enhance LPO production and the activity of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) was about 5 times higher than that of N-acetylneuraminic acid (5AcNeu) at equivalent concentrations. Pro inhibited the increased LPO production induced by sia and the activity of Pro against LPO with 5AcNeu was almost twofold higher than that of Pro alone. It suggests that Pro be an inhibitor of LPO (free radicals) and as a functional modulator of sia in body.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol against Oxidation Stress Induced by 2-Nitropropane in Rat Liver

We investigated the effect of resveratrol on oxidation damage and variation of antioxidant defences induced by 2-nitropropane (2-NP) in rat liver. One group of five rats was given resveratrol (50 mg/kg/d body weight) in the diet until the end of the experiment. After 14 days, 2-NP (100 mg/kg) was injected i.p. into two groups of animals (2-NP + Res and 2-NP groups) while control animals were treated with vehicle alone. Animals were killed by decapitation 15 h after 2-NP injection. The levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) were significantly increased by 2-NP injection, but resveratrol restored 8-oxodGuo to levels similar to those measured in controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in the liver were significantly increased by 2-NP, but were similar to those found in the group treated with resveratrol and 2-NP (2-NP + Res). We also observed that 2-NP injection significantly reduced GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver and this change was partially reversed by resveratrol treatment. Moreover, an increased (p = 0.06) expression of the oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) gene was found in 2-NP rats, whereas pre-treatment with resveratrol restored OGG1 expression to control levels. An up-regulation of caspase-3 was also observed in 2-NP group, but resveratrol significantly reduced the activation of caspase-3. An inverse correlation was found between GSH/GSSG and 8-oxodGuo in the 2-NP group. On the contrary, 8-oxodGuo levels, GSH/GSSG ratio, XO and SOD activities in the colon mucosa of 2-NP rats were similar to those of controls confirming that the colon is not a target of oxidation damage 2-NP induced. In conclusion, our results indicate that oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis are the main mechanisms of cell death in a model of chemically induced severe acute hepatic injury and in this early stage of damage pharmacological doses of resveratrol can ameliorate hepatic oxidation damage by its antioxidant and scavenging properties through a reduction of XO activity, a partial restoration of GSH/GSSG ratio in addition to its capacity to inhibit apoptosis.

Studies on the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein induced by ultraviolet light and the protective effect of green tea polyphenols

Uitraviolet（UV）light irradiation acting on human low density lipoprotein（LDL）couldgive rise to oxidative modification of LDL.Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances（TBARS）,rela-five electrophorefic mobility（REM）,relative fluorescence intensity at 420 nm（the excitation wavelength was 360nm）and lipid conjugated dienes of UV-irradiated LDL were all elevated withthe increase of irradiation time.Addition of 0.01％ EDTA into the irradiation system could inhi-bit this reaction,but the effect was not so potent as that induced in the Cu2+-PBS-LDLoxidative modification system China green tea polyphenols（CGTP）,on the other hand,had aneffective inhibitory effect with obvious dose-effect relationship.It was proposed that lipidperoxidation of LDL induced by free radicals which were generated from UV-irradiation andthe inhibitory effect of CGTP was attributed to its strong antioxidative action.

Physicochemical variations of malondialdehyde－and Cu^（2＋）－modified low density lipoprotein

After Modification of low density lipoprotein(LDL) by either malondialdehyde(MDA) or Cu2+,its thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS),lipid conjugated dienes,and relative electrophoretic mobility(REM) levels,and the fluorescence emission spectra we

Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Damage in Male Rat Erythrocytes Associated with Prolonged Exposure to Smoke Pollution

Exposure of animals to different duration of smoke can result in a wide range of adverse clinical conditions. Toxicological consequences arising from prolonged exposure may not be totally enumerated. The present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress-inducing potential of a short and long-time exposure of male rat erythrocytes to environmentally relevant to public health. Male Wistar rats were exposed to open municipal land-fill smoke for 30 and/or 60 days. The oxidative stress in erythrocytes was evaluated by assessing the magnitude of malondialdehyde production and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (C) and glutathione reductase (GR) after 30 and/or 60 days of exposure. After 30 days there was no change in SOD, catalase and GR activities and no alterations in GSH and lipid peroxidation (LPO). After 60 days, the levels and activities of SOD (23.62%), catalase (5.24%), GR (14.87%) decreased. Overall, the study demonstrates that the chronic exposure of male rats to smoke results in induction of oxidative stress and simultaneous reduction in antioxidative defense system in erythrocytes at 60 days of exposure.

果皮果壳的药用

果皮果壳的药用香蕉皮：用３──４只香蕉皮炖熟即吃，可治痔疮便血。柿子皮：新鲜柿子皮贴痈疮可以消肿。煎汤内服可治呃逆、尿频和血尿。苹果皮：新鲜苹果皮２０——３０克煎汤吃，可治反胃、痰多。桔子皮：桔皮泡茶可除口臭。鲜桔皮３０克与甘草６克煎汤内服可治疗刚发...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA)Abuse Markedly Inhibits Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Induces Severe Oxidative Damage and Liperoxidative Damage

Objective To investigate whether 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) abuse produces another neurotoxicity which may significantly inhibit the acetylcholinesterase activity and result in severe oxidative damage and liperoxidative damage to MDMA abusers. Methods 120 MDMA abusers (MA) and 120 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in an independent sample control design, in which the levels of lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and erythrocytes as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results Compared with the average values of biochemical parameters in the HV group, those of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the MA group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in erythrocytes in the MA group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis between the values of AChE and biochemical parameters in 120 MDMA abusers showed that significant linear negative correlation was present between the activity of AChE and the levels of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes (P<0.0005-0.0001), while significant linear positive correlation was observed between the activity of AchE and the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX (P<0.0001). The reliability analysis for the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in MDMA abusers suggested that the reliability coefficient (alpha) was 0.8124, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9453. Conclusion The findings in the present study suggest that MDMA abuse can induce another neurotoxicity that significantly inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and aggravates a series of free radical chain reactions and oxidative stress in the bodies of MDMA abusers, thereby resulting in severe neural, oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in MDMA abusers.

Evaluation of oxidative and nitrosative stress in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system (CNS) through demyelination and neurodegeneration. Several lines of evidence support a role for oxidative and nitrative stress (OS and NS) in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The mechanism of influence of OS and NS on blood-brainbarrier (BBB) has critical importance for evaluating antioxidant therapies. As far as we know, markers of oxidative and nitrative stress in MS patients have been investigated independently for their relationship with the state of the blood-brain-barrier. Blood plasma samples of 58 patients with relapse-remitting MS (RRMS) with normal (Group A, n = 48, 36.2 ± 10.5 years) and damaged BBB (Group B, n = 10, 38.2 ± 11.2 years) and of 44 healthy controls (39.2 ± 14.9 years) were analyzed. TAS (total antioxidant plasma status), lipoperoxides, protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine and uric acid were evaluated in each group. Our results confirmed decreased TAS (Group A: 1.35 ± 0.55 mmol/l, P e level of lipoperoxidation positively correlated with the state of BBB (P of protein’s carbonyls (A: 0.48 ± 0.11 nmol/mg protein, P nmol/l, P ed damage to plasma proteins, what was confirmed by their positive mutual correlation (P The level of uric acid was physiological and correlated negatively with protein’s carbonyls (P 0.05) while there was no significant relationship with 3-nitotyrosine. The results suggest the role of this antioxidant in the protection of the proteins against OS what was confirmed by its positive correlation with TAS