Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Iraqi Patients with Hydatid Disease

Abstract

Antioxidants and oxidative stress status are clinically important in the detection of many diseases. In order

to estimate the role of oxidative stress in hydatid disease pathogenesis, the antioxidant levels and oxidative

stress status were examined in the patients of hydatid cysts. Thirty patients having active hydatid cyst of

Echinococcus granulosus, previously diagnosed by X-ray, were adopted as patients’ group. Additionally, 25

healthy individuals who did not have hydatid infection or any other parasitic infection constituted the control

group. Antioxidant status and oxidative stress levels were determined using biochemical tests including

plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and erythrocyte Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH

Px), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) activity, in addition to erythrocyte

Glutathione concentration GSH-conc. The statistical evaluation of plasma MDA levels showed significantly

higher levels in hydatid patients than in healthy controls, while erythrocyte SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, GST and

GSH levels were significantly declined in hydatid patients compared to the control which can be used as

diagnostic markers in the laboratory diagnosis of the disease. To conclude, hydatid patients show elevated

oxidative stress status, and therefore, the antioxidant therapy should be considered in addition to the routine

medicines in this group of patients.