Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defenses in cystic fibrosis patients

Lipid peroxidation biomarkers and antioxidant status were measured in 76 cy stic fibrosis (CF) patients and compared to 40 control subjects. Univariate and multivariate statistics were performed in this study. Results showed t hat indicators of lipid peroxidation were higher in CF patients than in con trols; thiobarbituric acid reactants and autoantibodies against oxidized lo w-density lipoproteins were significantly increased in CF patients. Red blo od cells and whole brood glutathione peroxidase activities were lower in CF patients than in controls. No difference in red blood cell superoxide dism utase activity was observed. Measured concentration of glutathione peroxida se in plasma showed a higher mean value of this protein in CF patients than in controls. Retinol, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene concentrations we re all reduced in CF patients as compared to controls; this was particularl y pronounced for beta-carotene. The decreased alpha-tocopherol concentratio n was associated with higher percent hemolysis in CF patients. The results of this study indicate that both lipid peroxidation biomarkers and antioxid ant status were disturbed in CF patients, despite medical assistance. Measu res of oxidative stress parameters, such as thiobarbituric acid reactants, glutathione peroxidase, and beta-carotene concentrations can be considered as significant indicators to discriminate CF patients and control subjects.