IMPAIRED ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE-MECHANISMS IN 2 CHILDREN WITH HEMOLYTIC-UREMIC SYNDROME

In the present study we have assayed antioxidant enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GSH-Red, and G6PD in erythrocytes from two childr en with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) during the acute phase of the disease and after their recovery; in addition, we have tested the perc entage of hemolysis after 24-h incubation in PBS containing glucose (1 g/1000 mL) or in the presence of their own plasma. Endogenous plasmat ic MDA levels were also evaluated as lipid peroxidation marker. A sign ificant decrease in SOD activity was found in erythrocytes from HUS pa tients, and the addition of their own plasma further decreased SOD act ivity. Elevated percentage of hemolysis was found in HUS patients when RBCs were incubated in their own plasma; this last effect was less ev ident in PBS + glucose.