title: Glutathione peroxidase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the effects of selenium supplementation.
abstract: The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as the activities of other antioxidative enzymes: CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) in erythrocytes, as well as the activity of plasma glutathione transferase (GST), and the plasma content of vitamins E and C were evaluated in 35 sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) patients. The results revealed significantly decreased activity of both GSH-Px and CuZn SOD in sALS patients compared with the control. These data showed that a disturbed oxidative/antioxidative balance in sALS patients exists not only in motoneurons but also in the blood. The effect of exogenously administered selenium (Se), antioxidants, amino acids, a Ca2+ channel blocker such as nimodipine, and their combination in Alsamin was evaluated by screening parameter levels after 9 weeks of treatment. Only the use of all components together enhanced the activity of GSH-Px and the amount of vitamin E in sALS patients. Judging by the results of clinical trials, this treatment slowed the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apostolski
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Marinković
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blagojević
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Spasić
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Michelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D009553:Nimodipine; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D012643:Selenium