Superoxide dismutase activity and zinc and copper concentrations in Parkinson's disease.

Although several hypotheses are currently being investigated the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine red cell copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) activity and copper and zinc concentrations both in plasma and in red cell in PD. In this preliminary assay, 30 patients with PD the mean age of 64 were studied. Additionally, a second group of older individuals without PD mean age of 61, were recruited to the study. The patient group was compared with the other group according to their red cell Cu/Zn-SOD activities, and plasma and red cell copper, zinc concentrations. Red cell Cu/Zn-SOD activity was measured spectrophotometrically while plasma and red cell copper, zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were analysed by 'Student t-test' statistically. The results showed that red cell Cu/Zn-SOD activities and red cell copper and zinc and also plasma copper concentrations of the PD patients increased compared to older individuals without PD. These findings suggested that possibility of oxidative stress in PD was reflected on the blood including the red cell and plasma parameters.