title: Nonenzymatic antioxidants of blood in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Free radical action has been suggested as a causal factor in multiple sclerosis. We investigated the plasma level of lipid peroxides expressed in terms of malone dialdehyde and changes in blood nonenzymatic antioxidants (glutathione, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, plasma sulfhydryl groups, and uric acid) in multiple sclerosis patients with exacerbation or in remission, including a group treated with beta-interferon. The malone dialdehyde level was increased by 38% (n.s.) during exacerbations. The blood concentration of oxidized glutathione was likewise elevated (P<0.05), while the ratio of plasma alpha-tocopherol to cholesterol plus triglyceride was decreased (P<0.001). These changes suggest increased free radical production and consumption of the scavenger molecules during the active phase of the disease. Blood reduced glutathione level was increased (P<0.01) during exacerbation and remission as well. The rise in this thiol is likely to be a compensatory mechanism defending the cells from further oxidant injuries. Beta-interferon increased plasma alpha-tocopherol levels (P<0.001) but not the lipid corrected alpha-tocopherol value. Other parameters were not influenced by the drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Albert Szent-Györgyi University Medical School, Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klivényi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Németh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bencsik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pintér
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vécsei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D016899:Interferon-beta; D005978:Glutathione