OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSES IN PLASMA OF PATIENTS WITH BEHCETS-DISEASE

Plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activ ities, and malondialdehyde (MDA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (TP) , thiol (SH), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) levels were determined in patients with Behcet's disease (ED), in order to investigate whether t he plasma antioxidant defense system is impaired in ED. When compared to controls, plasma MDA, Cp, Cu levels and also plasma MPO activity we re significantly higher in patients, whereas plasma TP, SH and Se leve ls, and also plasma GSH-Px activity mere lower in ED patients than tho se in controls. In addition, there mere significant and positive corre lations between MDA-Cp, MDA-Cu, MDA-MPO, MPO-Cp, GSH-Px-Se, Cp-Cu, and TF-SH parameters, but negative correlations between MPO-TP and Cp-TF parameters in ED patients. Based on these findings, it is concluded th at plasma antioxidant defense system is insufficient and impaired in B D.