Dynamics of antioxidants in patients with acute pancreatitis and in patients operated for colorectal cancer: a clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
This clinical study compared the dynamics of antioxidants levels in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), patients operated for colorectal cancer (CA), and healthy control subjects.


METHODS
This prospective descriptive study enrolled 21 AP and 14 CA patients and 17 healthy controls. Blood was collected from AP patients on days 1, 5, and 9 and from CA patients before surgery and on days 1, 5, and 9 after surgery. We measured concentrations of selenium in plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), and big-toe nails, vitamin A (retinol) in serum, alpha-tocopherol in serum and in RBCs, vitamin C in serum, concentration ratio of 9,11- and 10,12-octadecanoic acids to linoleic acid in RBC membrane, activity of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in RBCs.


RESULTS
Plasma concentrations of selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were significantly lower in AP and CA patients than in healthy controls over the monitored period (P < 0.05). Patients with severe AP had a significantly lower concentration of selenium in RBCs than did healthy controls and CA patients (P < 0.05). The concentration of selenium in toe nails of AP patients was significantly lower than that in CA patients and healthy controls (P < 0.001). The marker of increased reactive oxygen species activity the ratio of 9,11- and 10,12-octadecanoic acids to linoleic acid in RBCs was significantly higher in AP and CA patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of measured antioxidants and increased activity of reactive oxygen species occurred during the course of AP. These findings applied in particular to patients who had severe AP. Levels of measured antioxidants seemed to be similar in AP and CA patients except for lower levels of selenium in toe nails in AP patients and lower selenium concentrations in RBCs in patients with severe AP.
Musil
Frantisek
F
Department of Metabolic Care and Gerontology, Charles University and University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. musil@fnhk.cz
Zadák
Zdenek
Z
Solichová
Dagmar
D
Hyspler
Radomír
R
Kaska
Milan
M
Sobotka
Lubos
L
Manák
Jan
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014801:Vitamin A; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid