Malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in peripheral blood erythrocytes of patients with acute cerebral ischemia

The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Ps) and su peroxide dismutase (SOD-1) were measured in the red blood cells (RBC) of 34 patients with acute ischemic hemispheric stroke on the first anti seventh day after their stroke onset, and compared with 30 control individuals matc hed for sex, age and stroke risk factors. Within the first 24 h after strok e, SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly decreased and MDA levels we re significantly elevated in the patients compared with control subjects. D ecrease in SOD and GSH-Px activities and increase in MDA levels showed sign ificant correlation with infarct sizer initial stroke severity assessed by NIH stroke scale and poor short-term prognosis. Observed changes in the RBC oxygen scavenging process returned to values not different from those of c ontrol subjects within seven days after stroke. Our results indicated that antioxidant enzyme concentrations decreased below normal levels in the acut e period following ischemic stroke. Until the recovery of antioxidant defen ce mechanisms, which occurred up to seven days after stroke onset according to our results the use of neuroprotective therapy against oxyradical injur y seems reliable.