ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In recent years, many published studies have focused on the relationship between oxidative stress and psychiatric disorders. However, studies in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are few despite relatively high prevalence rates. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature we aimed to measure serum levels of free sulphydryl, an important member of antioxidant defense mechanisms, of the patients with GAD. METHODS: A total of 35 (23 female, 12 male) GAD patients without any other co-morbid medical or psychiatric disorder and 35 (23 female, 12 male) healthy controls have been included in the study. Disease severity of the patients were quantified by using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Serum free sulphydryl group levels of patients and healthy controls were measured in an appropriate way. RESULTS: Mean level of serum sulphydryl groups was significantly lower in the patient group. There was a negative correlation between their level and the disease duration. However, they did not show any significant correlation with the disease severity. CONCLUSION: Decreased serum sulphydryl level observed in pure GAD patients suggests an increased oxidative stress in these patients. Well designed future researches are needed to replicate our findings and to test the implications of the present study.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Anxiety Disorders , Anxiety , Defense Mechanisms , Oxidative StressABSTRACT
AIM: To study the antidotal effect of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) on acute poisoning with sodium cyanide(NaCN).METHODS:After intraperitoneal(ip) injected of four sulphydryl compounds respectively,the mice which were acutely poisoned by NaCN were observed of the behavioral change,convulsion number and mortality rate(within 72 h).The median lethal dose(LD_(50)) of acutely poisoned mice was detected in NaCN group and NAC protection group.1 min after mice were poisoned by NaCN,the mice were divided into three groups:the first was ip normal saline(NS),the second was ip NAC in combination with sodium thiosulfate(Na_2S_2O_3),the third was ip sodium nitrite(NaNO_2) in combination with Na_2S_2O_3.Then the behavioral change,convulsion number and mortality rate(within 72 h)were observed,recorded,and compared the differences between the mice groups.RESULT: All of the four sulphydryl compounds had protecting effect on acutely NaCN poisoned mice,among them NAC had most prominent effect(P
ABSTRACT
The effect of α-tocopherol on doxorubicin induced changes in intestinal brush border and basolateral membranes were studied in rats. Rats were treated with doxorubicin (2·5 mg/kg body wt.), intravenously, weekly for 8 weeks. α-Tocopherol (400 mg/kg body wt.) was given orally, daily for 2 months. Intestinal basolateral membrane bound ATPases and brush border membrane bound alkaline phosphatase activities were found to be decreased significantly in doxorubicin treated rats. The lipid peroxide level was found to be elevated with a significant depletion in membrane sulphydryl groups. In α-tocopherol coadministered animals, the enzyme activities were found to be restored with concomitant reduction in lipid peroxide levels and an increase in the membrane sulphydryl groups. The membrane cholesterol and phospholipid levels which were altered in doxorubicin treated animals were found to be maintained significantly. The results are discussed with reference to the effect of α-tocopherol on lipid peroxidation and membrane sulphydryl groups.