K. Mattila et al., Neutrophil free oxygen radical production and blood total antioxidant capacity in patients with coronary heart disease using various medications, APMIS, 109(9), 2001, pp. 618-624
Despite convincing results of studies in vitro, less is known about the eff
ects of antioxidants on in vivo redox balance in humans. We developed a nov
el parameter of in vivo redox balance, and studied it and its relation to d
ental infections in 51 patients on medication for coronary heart disease (C
HD) and 39 random controls matched for age group, sex, social class and loc
ality. In vivo redox balance was the ratio of plasma antioxidant capacity,
as measured with radical-trapping assay, to neutrophil respiratory burst ca
pacity, as measured with whole blood chemiluminescence assay. Dental infect
ions were quantitated with four rating scales. CHD patients had higher valu
es than controls. Patients on acetosalicylic acid (ASA), diuretics or beta
blockers, but not the ones on calcium channel blocker, had significantly hi
gher redox balance than non-users. Combination of calcium channel blockers
and ASA was associated with redox balance similar to taking beta blockers o
r diuretics. Diuretics and ASA were independent determinants of redox balan
ce in multivariate analyses. Redox balance did not correlate with severity
of dental infections (Spearman's r 0.06 to 0.11). The results contrast expe
rimental data indicating that calcium channel blockers are as antioxidants
superior to other cardiovascular drugs. Total antioxidant capacity in paral
lel with oxygen species production capacity should be considered in attempt
s to solve the antioxidant paradox.