Background: The aim of the study was to assess the antioxidant status in cy
stic fibrosis (CF) patients compared to healthy controls. In order to deter
mine the influence of nutrition on the level of the antioxidants, nutrient
intake was also monitored in both groups at the time of the antioxidant ass
essment. Subjects and Methods: The authors measured the serum malondialdehy
de levels in children with CF, n = 21; 9 females and 72 males, mean age: 8.
71 years (6-12 years) and compared these values to the levels found in age-
matched healthy control subjects, n = 24; 13 females and 11 males, mean age
: 8.33 years (6-12 years). In order to assess the antioxidant status, catal
ase and superoxide dismutase activities in washed erythrocytes, glutathione
peroxidase activity of heparinized whole blood and serum ascorbic acid, al
pha -tocopherol and retinol levels were measured. Total antioxidant status
(TAS) was also tested. The patients with CF received vitamin supplementatio
n in doses prescribed in international guidelines (alpha -tocopherol: <10 y
ears 100 mg daily, >10 years 200 mg daily, retinol: 2.5 mg daily, ascorbic
acid: 100-200 mg daily). Results: Plasma levels of malondialdehyde were sig
nificantly higher (p < 0.05), superoxide dismutase activities were signific
antly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with cystic fibrosis. There were no sign
ificant differences in catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and TAS
levels between CF patients and control group. Plasma ascorbic acid, alpha -
tocopherol and retinol levels were within normal limits in both groups. Con
clusion: On the basis of the present results this regime failed to provide
sufficient antioxidant protection. Therefore, the authors suggest that the
daily dose of these antioxidants should be either increased or to administe
r in parenteral route to patients with severe form of the disease. Copyrigh
t (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.