Status of oxidant stress in Parkinson's disease and Friedreich's ataxia, clinical and biochemical evaluation

ABSTRACT

The status of oxidant stress was determined in 27 patients with PD and 21 age matched controls as well as 17 patients with FA and 12 age matched controls. This was achieved by the determination of plasma, RBCs and CSF, superoxide dismutase [SOD], lipid peroxides in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance [TBARS], plasma and RBCs total thiols, plasma and CSF nitrites and nitrates as a measure of NO* plasma ceruloplasmin, vitamins A, E, C and carotenoids. The study also determined plasma level of vitamin B6, triglycerides and cholesterol. The study revealed significantly increased oxidant stress in patients with PD and FD as reflected by significantly increased NO and LPER. Also, there was decreased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and ceruloplasmin as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants total thiols together with chain breaking antioxidant vitamins A, E and C besides beta-carotene. These changes would suggest a role of increased oxidant stress in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases. Besides, the study supported the importance of supplementing these patients with antioxidant therapy