DUODENAL-ULCER AND OXY-RADICAL SYSTEM - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

To determine the role of oxy-radical system in the pathophysiology of duodenal ulcer, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were estimated in whole blood of endoscopically proved duoden al ulcer patients and controls. MDA was determined by thiobarbituric a cid test (TEA) while SOD and catalase were measured by spectrophotomet ric method. MDA was found to be statistically significantly higher in duodenal ulcer patients (p < 0.001) as compared to controls. SOD and c atalase were found to be statistically significantly lower in duodenal ulcer patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respec tively). MDA is the reflector of free radical (FR) mediated tissue inj ury while SOD and catalase reflects free radical scavenging activity. This preliminary study suggests that there may be involvement of free radical system in duodenal ulcerogenesis.