[Free radical reactions and activity of antioxidant barrier in children with chronic hepatitis B].
Recent research has shown that highly reactive oxygen species may take part in pathogenesis of many diseases, in particular chronic inflammatory processes. It was demonstrated that the activation of the inflammatory process is linked with generation of significant quantities of free radicals. This may lead to uncontrolled free radical reactions, particularly in case of antioxidant barrier insufficiency.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, activation of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in erythrocytes of children with chronic hepatitis B (CBH).


METHODS
Group of 47 children aged from 7 to 18 years with histopathologically confirmed CBH was studied. The content of carbonyl groups in plasma proteins and activity of SOD1 and GPX in the erythrocytes was evaluated. The control group consisted of 61 healthy children aged from 7 to 18 years.


RESULTS
Verified statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. Significantly higher content of plasma proteins' carbonyl groups was found in the study group (1.07 +/- 0.33 nmol/mg protein) than in the control group (0.86 +/- 0.2, p < 0,001). The activity of GPX [U/gHb] was lower in group of children with CBH (18.7 +/- 9.7) than in healthy children (26.1 +/- 0.2, p =0.005). A significantly higher activity or SOD1 [U/gHb] was found in children with CBH (2470+/- 714) as compared with healthy controls (1857+/- 782, p =0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with CBH the intensification of free radicals' reactions can be observed, which confirms the role of ROS in its pathogenesis. One of the reasons for this phenomenon may be due to the inappropriate activity of antioxidant barrier enzymes. The elevation of SOD activity seems to be a response to increased oxidative stress.
Popadiuk
Stefan
S
Klinika Pediatrii, Gastroenterologii i Onkologii, Dziecieca Akademia Medyczna, 80-803 Gdańsk, Poland.
Liberek
Anna
A
Korzon
Maria
M
Renke
Joanna
J
Woźniak
Michał
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C041069:carboxyl radical; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase