Cadmium is a dangerous occupational and environmental toxin. It accumulates in the human organism mainly in liver and kidneys. Cadmium half-life is about 10 years, so the symptoms of cadmium intoxication may occur several years after the exposure. Until now in treating intoxication with this metal chelating compounds have been used, burdened with numerous undesirable symptoms. In our investigations anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa were used to reduce the harmful results caused by cadmium. Administering anthocyanins with cadmium chloride resulted in a statistically significant decrease of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, concentration of bilirubin and urea in blood serum and decreased cadmium cumulation in liver and kidneys in relation to animals receiving cadmium chloride only.

BackgroundThere is data in the literature indicating increased oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which are commonly used to treat anemia in patients with CKD, seem to have an antioxidant action, which could be a part of nephroprotection. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of a long half-life ESA, methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera), on some markers of oxidative stress in predialysis patients with CKD.Material/MethodsPeripheral blood was collected from 28 predialysis CKD patients 2 times, before Mircera treatment and after achieving target hemoglobin (Hb), and 15 healthy subjects (control group). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activity in erythrocytes were measured according to commonly used methods as a function of the antioxidant defense system. To assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in erythrocytes and in plasma was measured according to a commonly used method.ResultsSOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity were similar, but plasma and erythrocyte MDA concentrations were significantly higher in CKD patients before ESA treatment in comparison to the control group. SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity was significantly higher, but plasma and erythrocyte MDA concentrations were significantly lower, in CKD patients after ESA treatment in comparison to these patients before treatment. We did not find a significant correlation between Hb concentration and SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity and plasma, as well as erythrocyte MDA concentrations. Analysis of all investigated groups showed a significant negative correlation between Hb concentration and plasma MDA concentration.ConclusionsOur results suggest that treatment of anemia with methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta may inhibit oxidative stress in predialysis patients with CKD by enhancing the antioxidant defense system and reducing ROS production.

Purpose: Catalase (cat) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in blood platelets were determined in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The study was carried out in a group of 36 patients, men and women, aged 21-50 years old. They were divided into groups dependently on the degree of motor disability and duration of the disease. The control group included 15 healthy individuals of similar age to the study group. The activity of catalase was estimated according to the method by Beers and Sizer. Glutathione peroxidase activity was determined by the method of Sedlak and Lindsay, modified by Little and O'Brien. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in blood platelets was carried out using the method by Placer et al. Results: We observed a lower level of TBARS concentration in platelets of MS patients than in control group with an enhanced activities of both antioxidative enzymes on the basis of disability degree and duration of the disease. Conclusions: Catalase and glutathione peroxidase protect blood platelets from lipid peroxidation process in multiple sclerosis patients and may play a role in the course of the disease. It may also suggest involvement of lipid peroxidation in the activity of multiple sclerosis.

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