Effect of supplementation of vitamin C and E on oxidative stress in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions associated with imbalance of osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities. The increased activity of osteoclasts leads to increased free radical formation and hence lipid peroxidation. Present study probes into the role of antioxidants as a palliative treatment for osteoporosis. It involved 50 healthy controls and 75 clinically diagnosed osteoporosis patients. Both the groups underwent baseline assessment of biochemical markers viz. osteoblastic markers: serum Alkaline phosphatase. Free or ionic calcium and Inorganic phosphorus, osteoclastic markers: serum Tartarate resistant acid phosphatase and Malondialdehyde and the antioxidant status: serum Superoxide dismutase and Erythrocyte reduced glutathione. The osteoporotic group was then divided into groups A (Vitamin E-Evinal 400 mg), B (Vitamin C-Celin 500 mg), C (Vitamin E+C-Evinal+Celin) for antioxidant supplementation for a period of 90 days. The results reveal that there is significant fall in concentration of serum MDA (p<0.001), TrACP (p<0.01). Improvement in antioxidant status is reflected by significant rise in concentration of serum SOD (p<0.001) and erythrocyte GSH (p<0.001) after 90 days of antioxidant supplementation in osteoporosis. The findings indicate that on the whole bone status improved with prolonged antioxidant vitamin supplementation, which can be used as a palliative treatment for osteoporosis. The efficacy is not affected whether the vitamins are administered singly or conjointly.     

Studies on biochemical changes with special reference to oxidant and antioxidants in malaria patients

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of malarial anemia. The present study was undertaken to study the role of oxidant and antioxidants in the patients ofPlasmodium falciparum malaria (n=25),Plasmodium vivax malaria (n=25) as against the normal control subjects (n=25). The parameters included are the hematological [hemoglobin, erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, ADP-induced platelet aggregation] and serum total lipid peroxide as an index of oxidative stress and antioxidants [erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, serum vitamin E] & serum iron. Significant alterations in all above parameters were noted in both groups of malaria patients as compared to control subjects. Maximum significant alterations in hematological parameters were noticed inP. falciparum infection as compared toP. vivax malaria (p<0.001). Substantial rise in serum total lipid peroxides and a significant reduction in antioxidants such as serum vitamin E and serum iron were noted inP. falciparum malaria as compared toP. vivax malaria (p<0.001), whereas maximum decline in erythrocytic SOD activity was observed inP. vivax infection as compared toP. falciparum malaria (p<0.05). Follow-up examination revealed the restoration of the levels of all biochemical parameters to the normal level after 20 days of antimalarial therapy. The study specified severity ofP. falciparum malaria and also functional duality of oxidant.     

A comparative study on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients with and without diabetes

The study was conducted to find out the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients (ISPs) with and without diabetes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was studied as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH), uric acid and ceruloplasmin were estimated to study the antioxidant potential of ISPs. Significantly higher levels of MDA were found in both the groups of ISPs and the increase in MDA was more in ISPs without diabetes. GSH levels were decreased significantly in both the groups of ISPs and maximum decline was found in ISPs with diabetes. Uric acid levels were significantly increased in both the groups of ISPs. Ceruloplasmin levels were increased significantly in ISPs without diabetes, whereas its levels were slightly decreased in ISPs with diabetes. A negative correlation was found between MDA and the antioxidants GSH, uric acid and ceruloplasmin in ISPs with diabetes. This study suggests that there is an association between ischemic stroke and increased oxidative stress and the antioxidant potential is impaired in both the groups of ISPs with and without diabetes.     

An opium alkaloid-papaverine ameliorates ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity: Diminution of oxidative stress

In this communication, we show the modulatory potential of papaverine, an opium alkaloid and a well known vasodilator agent on the ethanol-induced hepatic oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Ethanol treatment (50% v/v) enhanced lipid peroxidation significantly accompanied by a decline in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (G-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and depletion in levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH). Ethanol administration increased hepatic glutathione-s-transferases (GST). Enhanced lipid peroxidation induced by ethanol was significantly reduced when papverine was coadministered (P<0.05). In addition, the depleted levels of glutathione and inhibited activities of G-Px and GR recovered significantly (P<0.05) levelling off to control values on co-exposure. Papaverine (200 mg/kg bw) effectively antagonised the ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation and impaired glutathione levels and glutathione dependent enzyme systems. Our results suggest that papaverine is an effective chemopreventive agent in the liver and may suppress the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in cervical cancer patients

Cervical cancer (CaCx) is a global public health problem as it is the second most common cancer leading to the death of women worldwide. Many references revealed that the low levels of antioxidants induce the generation of free radicals leading to DNA damage and further mutations. In the present study attempt have been made to evaluate the levels of serum Lipid peroxide, Nitric Oxide (NO^.) Erythrocytic—Superoxide Dismutase (RBC-SOD), Vitamin-C, serum Copper (Cu) and serum Zinc (Zn). 120 patients were divided in 4 groups according to the increasing CaCx stages i.e. stage I, II, III & IV respectively. All the patients were around the age group of 25–65 years. 30 healthy women between the same age group were treated as controls. Highly significant increased values of MDA, NO^. and Cu were observed (p<0.001) whereas the activity of RBC-SOD, levels of Vitamin-C and Zn were significantly decreased in CaCx patients as compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Cu/Zn ratio was found to be altered in CaCx patients. From our findings it can be concluded that the oxidative stress is induced among CaCx patients, which inturn increases the risk of CaCx.     

Seasonal variations in markers of stress and oxidative stress in rats

High ambient temperature has been reported to increase oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing antioxidant defence in transition dairy cows. It is also known to cause an increase in plasma cortisol levels in goats, European hedgehog and human volunteers. High levels of glucocorticoids have been reported to decrease blood glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in rats. Although institutional animal houses in research laboratories of developed countries maintain animals in air-conditioned rooms at constant temperature, the same is not true of animal houses in the developing countries especially those belonging to smaller institutions and this could affect the results of the experiments being conducted on these animals. The present research study was done to assess the effects of seasonal variations on the status of erythrocyte oxidative damage, antioxidant defence and plasma cortisol levels in adult female Wistar rats. Rats were kept in their home cages and were left in non-air-conditioned procedure rooms in two different seasons, Hot season (March-May) and Cool season (June to September). Erythrocyte Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased in rats exposed to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season as compared to the rats of the cool season. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the hot season group of rats. The results of our experiments showed that exposure of adult female Wistar rats to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season increases neuroendocrine stress, oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant defence in them.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress in pregnancy induced hypertension

This work was undertaken to investigate correlation between oxidative stress and initiation of pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Fifty primigravidae in age group of 20–35 years and gestational age 28–42 weeks with PIH were taken as cases. Twenty healthy primigravidae with no medical and surgical complications of pregnancy and with blood pressure ≤140/90 mm Hg served as controls. The cases were again subgrouped as severe preeclampsia (12 in number) and mild pre-eclampsia (38 in number). All of them were evaluated for serum malondialdehyde (MDA), Serum vitamin E and plasma vitamin C levels. The serum MDA levels were raised significantly in women with mild preeclampsia (P<0.01) and in women with severe preeclampsia (P<0.01) in comparison to normal primi gravida. The serum vitamin E levels were decreased in primi gravida with mild preeclampsia (p<0.1) and in primi with severe pre eclampsia (P<0.1) in comparison to normal primi gravida but the fall was not statistically significant. There was a significant fall (P<0.05) in the vitamin C levels in primi with mild preeclampsia than in the normal primi. The vitamin C levels in severe preeclamptic patients were lower than the normal primi but the fall was not statistically significant (P=0.10). The serum MDA and vitamin E showed a negative correlation in all the cases. The serum MDA and plasma vitamin C also showed a negative correlation in the control and study group. This observation suggests that in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy there is an imbalance between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant vitamin status because of oxidative stress. The decreased serum concentrations of the antioxidant vitamins supports the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation is an important causative factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The rise in antioxidants is probably to compensate the increased peroxide load in severe preeclampsia.     

Study of oxidative stress and enzymatic antioxidants in normal pregnancy

Pregnancy is a physiological state accompanied by a high-energy demand and an increased oxygen requirement. Augmented levels of oxidative stress would be expected because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen. Evidence of increased oxidative stress in normal pregnancy in comparison with nonpregnant controls was estimated by measuring Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), enzymatic antioxidants like Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase and catalase. It was observed that pregnant women were more susceptible to oxidative damage than non-pregnants as indicated by increased TBARS and decreased antioxidants.     

Monitoring oxidative stress in patients with non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases

Ethanol-induced liver injury may be linked, at least partly, to an oxidative stress resulting from increased free radical production and/or decreased antioxidant defence. Distinguishing alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease has important implications. This study looked at the possible changes between alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases by examining the presence of oxidative damage, as monitored by several parameters relating to oxidative stress. Lipid peroxides concentration, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione S-transferase activity increased, where as glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione reductase activity decreased among the tested subjects in comparison to normal healthy group. Determination of these parameters may be valuable in the evaluation of liver disease. However, oxidative stress related enzymes and non-enzymes can not be utilized as a marker for alcoholic liver diseases, as these parameters responded in the same way after liver is damaged irrespective of their cause. Their level may help in determining the degree of liver damage. Degree of oxidative injury was similar in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease and in moderate drinkers; while significantly higher in heavy drinkers. The differences between the groups might be based on the type of liver pathological condition rather than its etiology (i.e. alcohol and non alcohol related causes).     

Some oxidative stress related parameters in patients with head and neck carcinoma

Forty cases of head and neck cancer were studied for plasma superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and thiol levels and results were compared with a group of forty normal healthy volunteers. Mean plasma superoxide dismutase activity was not found to be altered while malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher when compared with the control group. On the other hand, mean thiol level was significantly lowered. The data suggests increased level of oxidative stress in patients with head and neck cancer.     

Age related changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in elderly people

Advanced age is associated with an accumulation of free radical damage, which leads to physiological and clinical modifications. Age related changes resulting from free radical reactions include increasing levels of lipid peroxides, alterations in enzyme activities and greater osmotic fragility. The present study was conducted to estimate the level of lipid peroxidation product-Malondialdehyde and antioxidants Catalase and Glutathione in elderly people. An increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidants was observed in normal elderly people. Highly significant increase in MDA and decrease in antioxidants was observed in elderly people when complicated with diabetes and hypertension. Supplementation of antioxidants may prevent further oxidative injury in elderly people.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant vitamins in urolithasis

The present, study was conducted to determine the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of free radial induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant vitamins-vitamins A, vitamin C and vitamin E in 75 confirmed cases of urolithiasis. Significantly high level of MDA (p<0.001) with significantly low levels of vitamin E (p<0.001) and vitamin A (p<0.001) with no significant decrease in vitamin C (p>0.05) were observed in the plasma of urolithiasis cases as compared to normal controls. In conclusion, it appears that a role of lipid peroxidation and oxidative function exists in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis. But, the exact mechanism how this occurs remains to be elucidated.     

Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in age related cataract in a rural population

Oxidative stress was assesed by estimating lipid peroxidation product (LPO) in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), enzymatic antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and nonenzymatic antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin C, β carotene and vitamin E in either serum or plasma or erythrocytes in 190 cases of age related cataract in the age group of 50–80 years. 190 cases were grouped into three morphological types namely, 73 cases of cortical, 77 cases of posterior subcapsular and 40 cases of nuclear cataract and values of LPO and antioxidants were compared with 78 cases of age matched healthy control groups. Plasma TBARS levels were cataract cases when compared with control groups. There were no significant differences in the erythrocyte levels of catalase and plasma levels of Vit E between cataract cases and control groups. No significant changes of parameters were seen among three different morphological types of age related cataract. The present study shows that the oxidative stress may play an important role in the age related cataract.     

Hypomagnesaemia in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients: A study on the status of oxidative and nitrosative stress

This study was undertaken to evaluate the levels of plasma magnesium, lipid peroxides, nitric oxide end products, erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxides, erythrocyte reduced glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients. 60 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Among 60 type-2 diabetic patients, 30 patients were without complication and 30 patients were with various complications. Decreased levels of plasma magnesium, erythrocyte reduced glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity while increased levels of plasma lipid peroxides, nitric oxide end products and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxides were observed in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. We propose that, under the shadow of hypomagnesaemia, there is excessive production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species as reflected by elevated lipid peroxides and nitric oxide end products concomitant with dwindled antioxidants and suggest their association with late complications in type-2 diabetes mellitus.     

RBC membrane composition in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in context of oxidative stress

Glyco-oxidation is considered as a source of permanent, cumulative, oxidative damage to long lived proteins in ageing and in diabetes. Although RBC depends solely on glucose for energy purpose, hyperglycemic state glycosylates hemoglobin, creates oxidative stress and puts the cellular components at risk. In view of this, RBC membrane composition was analyzed in diabetic patients. The results were compared with healthy age and sex matched control groups. When RBC membrane components such as protein, sialic acid, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, a significant rise in phospholipids and cholesterol and significant fall in sialic acid and protein content was noted. RBC membrane composition showed pronounced alterations in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. These changes were accompanied by higher levels of lipid peroxidation products like Malondialdehyde.     

Protective influence of vitamin E on the antioxidant defence system in the whole blood and liver of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of oral administration of vitamin E for twenty-eight consecutive days on blood glucose, reduced glutathione levels, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities), and levels of malondialdehyde (as an index of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation) was observed in the whole blood and liver of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. It was found that oral administration of vitamin E significantly (p<0.05) lowered the blood glucose level and increased the body weight of the diabetic rats. The activities of superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione increased significantly (p<0.05) while the level of lipid peroxidation decreased.     

Effect of antioxidants and antibiotics on levels of seminal oxidative stress in leukocytospermic infertile men

Defective sperm function is the most common cause of infertility. A prospective study was carried out to correlate the concentration of nitrite (the stable metabolite of nitric oxide) in seminal plasma with leukocytospermia, and sperm membrane integrity. Total Fifty-seven normozoospermic subjects with and without leukocytospermia visiting the Infertility clinic at KH and MRC, Karad, were included in the present study. Semen samples were checked for sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, seminal leukocyte concentration and sperm membrane integrity as Hypoosmotic Swelling Test. Similarly the concentration of nitrite in seminal plasma was measured by Griess reaction and total antioxidant power measured as ferric reducing ability of plasma. The concentration of nitrite in seminal plasma was found to be raised with significantly increased leukocyte concentration in semen. Also significantly lowered levels of total antioxidant power along with defective sperm function was observed. Our results suggest that supplementary treatment of antioxidants with antibiotic for leukocytospermic infertile male patients may improve the sperm membrane integrity.     

Lipid peroxidation and the levels of antioxidant enzymes in coronary artery disease

Coronary Artery Disease is the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Traditional risk factors account for only half of the morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease. There is substantial evidence that oxidative stress plays the major role in the atherosclerotic process. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the level of lipid peroxidation (by measuring malondialdehyde) and antioxidant enzymes (ceruloplasmin, glutathione, superoxide dismutase) in coronary artery disease. Serum malondialdehyde levels and serum ceruloplasmin levels were significantly raised in all the subgroups of study group as compared to control group (p<0.001). Whole blood glutathione levels and hemolysate superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased in all the subgroups of study group as compared to control group (p<0.001). Above results suggests that the patients of coronary artery disease show increased oxidative stress and decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. So it is recommended that the management protocol for coronary artery disease patients should include antioxidant supplementation along with simultaneous lowering of lipid peroxidation.     

Reversible suppression of nitric oxide system in essential hypertension

Despite enormous research in the field of hypertension, its pathophysiology still remains largely unresolved and appears to be multifactorial. In the present communication, we have analyzed the status of nitric oxide (NO) in the patients with essential hypertension and age matched controls. We have found that the levels of NO are lowered in essential hypertension. The normalization of blood pressure by administration of antihypertensive therapy causes rise in the NO level indicating that perturbed NO status in essential hypertension is reversible. Addition of antioxidant to the antihypertensive drugs causes a further, though non significant, rise in the levels of NO, suggesting that antioxidants may be combined with antihypertensive drugs as adjunct in the management of essential hypertension.     

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients and Comparison with Controls

In the present study, oxidative stress and lymphocytic DNA damage in both pre-op and post-op benign prostrate hyperplasia (BPH) patients with age >50 years was evaluated and compared with normal healthy subjects (controls- without any evidence of disease) of the same sex and age group. From December 2007 to November 2009, oxidative stress in 45 BPH patients were evaluated both before (pre-op patients) and after 7 days of surgery (post-op patients) in terms of measurements of plasma levels of (1) various anti-oxidative enzymes, (2) non-enzymatic antioxidants and (3) malondialdehyde which is a product of lipid peroxidation. The lymphocyte DNA damage was also evaluated by single cell alkaline gel electrophoresis in terms of tail length migration in these patients. These values were compared with their respective control subjects of similar sex and age group. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of antioxidant, reduced glutathione were found significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in serum samples of pre-operative group of BPH patients as compared to the controls. These altered parameters increased significantly (p < 0.05) and returned to their near normal control values, but not up to baseline values, in post operative patients i.e. after the cancer load was decreased by surgery. Lymphocytic DNA damage was found to be significantly increased in pre-op group as compared to controls and was reduced after surgery in post-op group. The present study therefore, shows significantly increased levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage in BPH patients which were reduced after removal of tumour load. Thus oxidative damage plays an important role in prostate tumourogenesis and timely management of oxidative stress can be of importance in preventing the occurrence of BPH.