To evaluate plasma lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems in patients with Behçet's disease, plasma malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant status, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activities were studied in 15 patients with active disease and in 30 with inactive disease, and compared with 20 age-matched healthy control subjects. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in patients with active Behçet's disease than in patients with inactive disease, who had significantly higher levels than control subjects. The plasma total antioxidant status of both groups of patients was significantly lower than that of controls. Furthermore, whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly lower in patients with active versus inactive Behçet's disease. There were no significant differences in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase levels between the groups. In conclusion, there is an increase in oxidative stress in Behçet's disease. Despite this stress, the antioxidant system is deficient and inadequate, especially in patients who are in an active phase of the disease.

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Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the myocardium and thus the pathogenesis of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated contribution of plasma matrix metalloproteinases to development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with (n = 27) and without LVH (n = 23) were included. All participants underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including recordings of the mitral annular early, late, systolic and diastolic velocities by Doppler imaging. Plasma concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were determined by the one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma MMP-3 and MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with LVH than those without LVH (2.4 ± 1.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.7 ng/ml, p = 0.006 and 5.2 ± 2.8 vs 3.3 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.003, respectively). MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were also correlated with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction. Our findings have suggested that increased MMP levels may contribute to LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, treatment of hypertension with MMP lowering drugs, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, may have favorable effects on LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. matrix metalloproteinases; left ventricular hypertrophy; diastolic dysfunction

We conclude that changes in parameters associated with oxidative stress such as NO-related processes, activities of antioxidant enzymes in the bloodstream and erythrocytes and total plasma antioxidant capacity are involved in the aetiopathogenesis of the vasculitis seen in BD.