Heroin abuse and nitric oxide, oxidation, peroxidation, lipoperoxidation

To further reveal the risks of heroin abuse to human body, and to determine the injuries of oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals to heroin abusers, we determined and compared plasma values of lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE), β-carotene (β-CAR) and erythrocyte values of LPO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in 114 heroin abusers and 100 healthy volunteers. Using linear regression and correlation as well as stepwise regression and correlation, we also analyzed the effect of the abusing duration, and daily abusing quantity on the above-mentioned biochemical parameters in the heroin abusers. The results showed that, compared with the healthy volunteer groups, the average plasma values of LPO, and NO, and the average erythrocyte value of LPO in the heroin abuser group were significantly increased (P＜0.0001), and the average plasma values of VC, VE, and β-CAR and the average erythrocyte values of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were significantly decreased (P＜0.0001). Analysis of linear regression and correlation showed that with prolonged heroin abusing and with increased daily quantity in the heroin abusers, the plasma values of LPO, and NO, and the erythrocyte value of LPO were gradually increased (P＜0.001), whereas the plasma values of VC, VE, and β-CAR and the erythrocyte values of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were gradually decreased (P＜0.001). Analysis of stepwise regression and correlation indicated that the plasma values of NO, VC and VE were closely correlated with the abusing duration and daily abusing quantity. These results indicate that the balance between oxidation and antioxidation in the heroin abusers was seriously disturbed, and the injuries induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals, through oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation to the bodies of heroin abusers exacerbated. It is therefore necessary that in abstaining from heroin dependence, the heroin abusers should acquire sufficient quantities of antioxidants such as VC, VE and β-CAR.     

Oxidative stress before and after operation in patients with chronic cholecystitis containing gallstone

To study the relationship of oxidative, antioxidative constituents and antioxidases in blood with chronic cholecystitis containing gallstone, levels of lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C(VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as level of LPO, activities of superoxide dismulase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocytes were investigated by spectrophotometric assay in 107 patients with this condition (PCg) and 100 healthy volunteers (HVs). Compared with HVs group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg group were significantly increased (P < 0.0001), while that of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma and the average activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). Linear regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg showed that the value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg gradually increased (P < 0.0001), representing a significant linear positive correlation. The value of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of PCg gradually decreased (P < 0.0001), representing a significant linear negative correlation. Stepwise regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg suggested that the closest correlation was observed between the course of disease and the value of NO and VC in plasma and that of SOD, GSH-Px and LPO in erythrocytes, r = 0.7306, F = 32.1408, P < 0.0001. Compared with the preoperative PCg group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the average value of VC in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly increased (P < 0.0001), whereas no significant difference was found between their average value of VE and beta-CAR in plasma. These findings suggested that oxidative stress was an aggravating pathological condition in PCg group. Therefore, we recommend that in treating PCg, antioxidants such as VC, VE, beta-CAR should be given in order to alleviate their potential oxidative damages.     

Abnormal metabolism of nitric oxide, oxidative stress and lipoperoxidative stress in patients with acute viral myocarditis

Objective To investigate metabolic status of nitric oxide (NO) as well as oxidative and li poperoxidative stress, pathological chain reactions of a series of free radicals , and oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in patients with acute viral myocar ditis (AVM). Methods Using a random paired control design, plasma levels of NO, lipoperoxides (LPO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β- carotene (β- CAR), erythrocytic level of LPO as well as activities of erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH- Px) were investigated by spectrophotometr ic assays in 60 AVM patients and 60 healthy adult volunteers (HAV). Results Compared with the HAV group, plasma NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocyte of the AVM group significantly increased (P=0. 0001), while VC, VE, β- CAR, SO D, CAT and GSH- Px of the AVM group significantly decreased (P=0. 0001). Co mpared with the AVM group before treatment, plasma NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocyte of the AVM group post treatment significantly decreased (P&lt;0. 05 ), whereas plasma VC, VE and β- CAR as well as erythrocytic SOD, CAT and GSH- P x of the AVM group post treatment significantly increased (P&lt;0. 05). Conclusion The findings in this study suggested that in the AVM patients the metabolism of NO was disturbed, and the pathological chain reactions of a series of free radic als were severely aggravated, thus produced the oxidative damage and lipoperoxid ative damages. Therefore, we recommend that antioxidants at suitable dosage, su ch as VC, VE, β- CAR and others, should be given to AVM patients daily to allev iate potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.     

Relationship between Acute Organophosphours Pesticide Poisoning and Damages Induced by Free Radicals

Objective To study the relationship between abnormal reactions of free radicals in bodies of patients with acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP) and damages induced by free radicals. Methods 58 AOPP patients and 58 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in an independent samples control design, in which spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma, and LPO in erythrocytes, vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and b-carotene (b-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes. Results Compared with the average values of every biochemical parameter in the HAV group, the average values of LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes, and NO in plasma in the AOPP group were significantly increased (P=0.000001), while the average values of VC, VE, a-CAR in plasma as well as SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and AChE in erythrocytes in the AOPP group were significantly decreased (P=0.000001). The findings of Pearson product-moment correlation analysis between the value of AChE in erythrocytes and the values of above biochemical parameters for 58 AOPP patients showed that there was a significant linear negative correlation between AChE in erythrocytes and LPO, NO in plasma, and LPO in erythrocytes (P=0.000001～0.001319), while there was a significant linear positive correlation between AChE in erythrocytes and VC, VE, a-CAR in plasma as well as SOD, CAT, GSH-Px in erythrocytes (P=0.000013～0.000824). The results of discriminant analysis of above chemical parameters for 58 AOPP patients and 58 HAV suggested that the correct rates of discriminant analysis were increased to 100 % when the values of AChE and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes, or AChE and others, were jointly used for the discriminant analysis. Conclusion The findings of the present study suggest that a series of free radical reactions in AOPP patients' bodies are pathologically aggravated, and the discriminant analysis used the above biochemical parameters could markedly increase its correct rates for AOPP patients.     

Studies on the Oxidative Stress in Alcohol Abusers in China

Objective:In order to study the relationship between alcoho abuse and oxidative stress,and to identify oxidative damage of alcoho abuse in human bodies.Methods:80 Cases of male alcoholics(AL) aged 40 years old and 80 cases of male healthy volunteers(HV)of the same age without drinking histroy were investigated by measuring concentrations of vitaminC(VC),vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene(β-CAR)in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalse(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in RBC with spectrophotometri assays.Results:Compared with the average values(AV) of the above biochemical parameters in the HV group ,the average values of VC,VE and β-CAR in plasma and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in RBC in the AL group were significantly decreased (P=0.0000),The findings in linear regression and correlation analysis for 80 alcoholics showed that with the prolonged drinking duration and increased daily drinking quantity,the values of VC,VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in RBC in the alcoholics were gradually decreased(P=0.000),representing a respectively significant linear negative correlation.The analysis of stepwise regression and correlation rewvealed that the drinking duration had the closest correlation with the values of VE in plasma as well as CAT and GSH-Px in RBC,while the daily drinking quantity had the closest correlation with the values of VC,VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as SOD and GSH-Px in RBC,Conclusion :The findings of the present study suggested that the oxidative stress in the alcoholics became pathologically intensified,leading to potential oxidative damages in their bodies.Therefore,alcoholica should abstain from alcohol drinking,and should take as supplements suitable dosage of antioxidants per day such as VC,VE,β-CAR and others to moderate potential oxidative damages in their bodies.     

Increased oxidative stress in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objective To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension （PIH） may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Methods Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy （UNP） whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide （NO）, vitamin C （VC）, vitamin E （VE）, and β-carotene （β-CAR） as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde （MDA）, and activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） were determined by spcctrophotometry. Results Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased （P〈0.0001）, while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and β-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased （P〈0.0005-0.0001）. The findings from partial correlation analysis （controlling for age） for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, MDA value gradually increased （P〈0.001）, and NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased （P〈0.02-0.001）. The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients （alpha, 8 items） = 0.7062, P〈 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P〈 0.0001. Conclusion The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.     

Oxidative Stress before and after Operation in Patients with Chronic Cholecystitis Containing Gallstone

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＣｈｒｏｎｉｃｃｈｏｌｅｃｙｓｔｉｔｉｓｃｏｎｔａｉｎｉｎｇｇａｌｌｓｔｏｎｅｉｓａｃｏｍｍｏｎｄｉｓｅａｓｅｏｆｄｉｇｅｓｔｉｖｅｓｙｓｔｅｍ.Ｓｏｍｅａｕｔｈｏｒｓｈａｖｅｒｅｐｏｒｔｅｄｔｈａｔｌｅｖｅｌｓｏｆｎｉｔｒｉｃｏｘｉｄｅ(ＮＯ)ａｎｄｌｉｐｏｐｅｒｏｘｉｄｅｓ(ＬＰＯ)ｉｎｂｌｏｏｄｏｆｐａｔｉｅｎｔｓｗｉｔｈａｃｕｔｅｃｈｏｌｅｃｙｓｔｉｔｉｓａｒｅｍａｒｋｅｄｌｙｉｎｃｒｅａｓｅｄ,ｗｈｉｌｅｔｈｏｓｅｏｆｖｉｔａｍｉｎＣ(ＶＣ)ａｎｄａｃｔｉｖｉｔｉｅｓｏ…     

Oxidative Stress in Patients With Acute Coxsackie Virus Myocarditis

To study the state of oxidative stress in patients with acute coxsackie virus myocarditis (ACM), and to investigate the pathological chain reactions of a series of free radicals and oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies. Methods Eighty ACM patients and 80 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a case-control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and LPO in erythrocytes (RBC), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in RBC were determined by using spectrophotometric assays. Results Compared with the average values (AV) of the above biochemical parameters (BP) in the HAV group, the AV of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and RBC in the ACM group were significantly increased (P=0.0001), while the AV of VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in the ACM group were significantly decreased (P=0.0001). The values of the above BP were used to estimate the relative risk ratio (RR) between the ACM group and the HAY group; the RR and its 95 % confidence interval were 12.467 (5.745～27.051), 4.333(2.126～8.834), 6.517 (3.225～13.618), 3.310 (1.598～6.858), 31.000 (12.611～76.201),4.663 (2.228～9.759), 11.769 (5.440～25.462), 3.043 (1.486～6.229) and 6.594 (3.045～14.281)respectively, and their P levels ranged from 0.002 to 0.0001. The results were asfollows: D = 22.143 - 0.017SOD + 0.008NO + 0.244LPO in RBC, Eigenvalue = 13.659,Canonical correlation = 0.965, Wilks' λ = 0.068, χ2 = 420.212, P = 0.0001. The correct rate of discrimination to the ACM group and to the HAV group was 87.5% and 95.0 %, respectively,and 91.3 % of originally grouped cases was correctly classified. Conclusion The findings in this study suggested that the oxidative stress in bodies of ACM patients was severely aggravated, and marked high oxidative constituents and low antioxidants and antioxidases in the human body might increase the relative risk of inducing acute coxsackie virus myocarditis, and measuring the values of NO in plasma, SOD and LPO in RBC might increase the correct rates of discriminatory analysis of the ACM.     

Abnormal reactions of free radicals and oxidative damages in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis

Objective To study the abnormal reactions of a series of free radicals and the oxidative damages induced by free radical abnormal reactions in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods Eighty chronic glomerulonephritis patients (CGNP) and eighty healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC),vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric assays. Results Compared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HAV group, the average values of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while those of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of the concentration of blood creatinine as well as prolongation of the course of disease in the CGNP, the concentrations of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP increased gradually, while the concentrations of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP decreased gradually (P = 0.002454 - 0.000001).The relative risk ratio (RR) of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damages in the bodies of CGNP ranged from 6.061 to 72.429. The reliability coefficient (alpha) that the above biochemical parameters were used to reflect the oxidative damages of the CGNP was 0.8137,standardized item alpha = 0.9728, Hotelling's T-Squared = 1135680.191, F = 53274.6478, P =0.000001. Conclusions The findings irt this study show that in the bodies of CGNP a series of free radical chain reactions result in severe pathological aggravation and induce oxidative damages in their bodies. Therefore, suitable dose of antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate oxidative damages in their bodies.     

Relationship between Acute Organophosphorus Pesticide Poisoning and Damages Induced by Free Radicals

~~ Relationship between Acute Organophosphorus Pesticide Poisoning and Damages Induced by Free Radicals~~