title: Evaluation of antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant capacity in patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin and/or mucosa. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were previously reported in PV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Because oxidative stress has an important role in the inflammatory process, we designed this study to evaluate the antioxidant status in patients with PV and to compare it with that of healthy controls (HCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, 43 newly diagnosed patients with PV were compared with 58 HCs. The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman scores. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) activities and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Data were analyzed by independent t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were similar in sex, age and body mass index. Mean duration of disease was 5.6 months. Mean oral and skin severities were 1.79 and 2.3 respectively, based on Harman scores. SOD activity was not significantly different between groups (1003.30 ± 39.96 vs. 1009.76 ± 32.68 U/gHb). Levels were noticeably higher in patients with PV than in HCs for both GPx (52.13 ± 2.85 vs. 36.63 ± 1.49 U/gHb, respectively; P < 0.001) and CAT (205.69 ± 8.10 vs. 130.26 ± 6.80 kU/gHb, respectively; P < 0.001) activities, and CAT activity correlated with disease severity. In addition, patients had lower total antioxidant capacity than controls (3.39 ± 0.06 vs. 3.72 ± 0.09 mmol/L, P = 0.006). There was no noticeable difference in serum MDA between the two groups (P = 0.45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with PV have significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activities and lower total antioxidant capacity compared with HCs. These data indicate the importance of improving antioxidant level in patients with pemphigus.
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Javanbakht
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Djalali
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Daneshpazhooh
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zarei
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Eshraghian
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Derakhshanian
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Chams-Davatchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase