Effect of eating on plasma radical-trapping antioxidant activity (TRAP) in patients with cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the effects of eating on plasma antioxidant capacity in patients with liver disease.


METHODS
Eighteen cirrhotic patients were compared to 18 age and sex-matched controls. TRAP was measured by a fluorometric assay after a 12 h fast, and 60, 120, and 180 min after the study participants had taken a drink formula food.


RESULTS
In the fasting state, TRAP was higher in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (847+/-39 micromol/L, mean +/- SEM) in comparison to patients with viral cirrhosis (653+/-41) and to controls (758+/-26) (p<0.005). In cirrhotic patients, TRAP did not change in the post-absorptive state. In controls, TRAP decreased progressively, to a value of 719+/-21 (p<0.02), and the AUC of the delta-values of TRAP and of plasma insulin showed an inverse correlation (r = -0.52, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In normal subjects, but not in cirrhotics, TRAP decreases in the post-absorptive state, probably in relationship with the activation of metabolic pathways.
Pirisi
M
M
Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi, Udine, Italy. pirisi@dpmsc.uniud.it
Federico
E
E
Bortolotti
N
N
Fabris
C
C
Falleti
E
E
Soardo
G
G
Gonano
F
F
Bartoli
E
E
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004435:Eating; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005609:Free Radicals; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides