Oxidative status in iron-deficiency anemia.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant molecules that can play an important role in the pathogenesis of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The aim of this study was to investigate oxidative status in patients with IDA and alteration of oxidative status after iron treatment. Thirty-three female patients with IDA and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Oxidant and total antioxidant capacity were determined using free oxygen radicals test and free oxygen radicals defence (Form CR 3000, Callegari, Parma, Italy). Catalase activity was measured by spectrophotometer using a commercially available kit (Bioxytech Catalase-520, OxisResearch, Portland, OR). Oxidant activity in patients with IDA was significantly higher than controls (P<0.05), while total antioxidant and catalase activity were significantly lower (P<0.05). After treatment, oxidant, antioxidant, and catalase activity reached the levels of the control group, and no significant differences were observed among groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, our data indicate that blood reactive oxygen species was lower and total antioxidant and catalase activity were higher after rather than before treatment in patients with IDA. The results of our study support the higher oxidative stress hypothesis in IDA; however, due to the limited number of cases included, more studies may be required to confirm the results.