The status of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, vitamins A, C, E and malondialdehyde in patients with cardiovascular disease in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.

Growing evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress and increased altered oxygen utilization contribute to atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. The objective of this study was to determine antioxidants status in CVD patients. This cross-sectional study was performed on 71 patients clinically diagnosed with CVD and 63 healthy individuals. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured for lipid peroxidation product and erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities as enzymatic antioxidants. The serum levels of vitamins A and E were assayed using HPLC and vitamin C by the photometric method. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method. The results showed a significant reduction in antioxidant status (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) with a concomitant increase in the concentrations of lipid peroxidation products in CVD patients. There was a significant inverse correlation among TAC, SOD, GPx and vitamin C with MDA. It can be concluded that the antioxidant defense system plays an important role in preventing the development and progression of CVD with the ability to control oxidative stress.