Oxidant and non-enzymatic antioxidant status in measles

Cemek M., Dede S., BAYIROĞLU F., Çaksen H., Cemek F., Mert N.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, vol.53, no.2, pp.83-86, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 53 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/tropej/fml068
  • Journal Name: Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.83-86
  • Keywords: Antioxidant vitamins, Child, Malondialdehyde, Measles, Reduced glutathione
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease of childhood associated with serious complications and significant morbidity and mortality. In the present study, antioxidant and oxidant status was investigated in children with measles. Our aim was to evaluate the possible changes in non-enzymatic antioxidant levels and their relationship to the oxidative stress in measles. According to our knowledge, there are no data about the blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C in measles. We measured the whole blood MDA (as a marker of lipid peroxidation) and GSH, and serum β-carotene, retinol, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels in all subjects. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters (p<0.05). Non-enzymatic antioxidant status was found to be decreased but, lipid peroxidation was increased in the study group. As a conclusion, these findings suggested that oxidant and antioxidant defence system were altered in children with measles. © 2007 Oxford University Press.