COMPARISON OF ERYTHROCYTE ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME-ACTIVITIES AND EMBRYOLOGIC LEVEL OF NEURAL-TUBE DEFECTS

Increased exposure to oxidant-derived free radicals or inadequate syst ems for antioxidant defense could alter cellular response at critical points in development We measured 5 antioxidant enzymes, glutathione p eroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and their plasma cof actor trace elements (Se, Zn, Cu) in 37 children with myelomeningocele and in 37 age-matched controls. We placed the patients into 3 groups according to motor level of the lesion at birth. We found signficantly loner GSH-Px activities (p = 0.007) in children with myelomcningocele . For paired comparisons among the 3 patient groups and controls, ther e were significant differences (p < 0.05) between controls and both hi gh (thoracic) and mid (lumbar) level embryologic lesions. The finding of antioxidant enzyme variations in our patients with myclomeningocele may indicate a role for abnormal oxidative metabolism in the developm ent of this defect. The contribution of oxidative stress to human birt h defects warrants investigation. We discuss potential relationships b etween oxidative stress and energy metabolism during primary neurulati on.