title: Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of free radicals and hydrogen peroxides in the metabolism and toxicity of alcohol is supported by many studies, therefore, many autors have tried to use the enzymes, metabolizing highly reactive chemical compounds as biological markers of alcoholism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were measured in 37 male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome, without severe liver disease, aged between 18 and 59 years, with different duration (years) of alcohol abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was statistically significantly increased in alcoholics. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity has shown no significant difference in alcoholics compared to the control group. Catalase (CAT) activity was significantly decreased in alcoholics. Specific activity of CAT was positively correlated with the duration of alcohol abuse (years).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catalase activity has shown statistically significant decrease in patients with alcohol dependence syndrom. (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref: 31.)
authors: Department of Experimental and Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty Skopje, Macedonia. bogdanskajasna@yahoo.com
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bogdanska
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Todorova
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Labudovic
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: Korneti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase