Relationship of possible stress-related biochemical markers to oxidative/antioxidative status in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Free radicals have been found to play an important role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). So, we measured the oxidative/antioxidative status of OCD patients, and assessed its use as a biological marker. The study was carried out on 20 healthy and 20 OCD subjects, aged between 20 and 40 years. Biochemical parameters of all subjects were assessed and compared. A significant difference in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels was observed between the OCD and control groups (p < 0.05); malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly higher in OCD subjects (p < 0.05). Our study found an overall oxidative imbalance in OCD, leaning towards the antioxidant side in sufferers (specifically towards SOD). SOD has a protective role in overcoming oxidative stress; therefore, oxidative stress could have a pathophysiological role in OCD. Therapy specifically targeting MDA production will have a beneficial effect in overcoming the oxidative stress, anxiety and affective disorder which may be associated with OCD. 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.