Association between Serum Glutathione Peroxidases and Superoxide Dismutases mRNA Level with Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radical formation and the protective antioxidant mechanisms. The latter mechanisms include superoxide dismutases (SODs) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) that scavenge excessive ROS and protect cells against excess ROS production. The aim of current study was to determine the serum levels of SOD and serum GPx mRNA as well as the serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance in CVD patients. Method: A total of 103 subjects were recruited, with ≥50% stenosis (Angio + ) or <50% stenosis of one or more coronary arteries by angiography (Angio – ). The expression levels of SOD and GPx in serum were measured using real time PCR. Biochemical-analyses (e.g., triglycerides; high-density lipo-protein cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; fasting-blood-glucose) were determined in all the subjects. Associations of SOD and GPx levels with biochemical and anthropometric characteristics were assessed together with evaluation of the serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB). Results: CVD subjects had a significantly higher level of fasting blood glucose (FBG), TC, LDL-C, TG and hs-CRP levels, as compared to control subjects. The level of serum PAB was significantly higher in the CVD group, 117.92 ± 35.51 and 110.65 ± 27.65 μg/dl in the angio – and angio + groups, respectively compared to the control group (54.26 + 23.25). Additionally we observed that the SOD-3 level was higher in angio + group versus control subjects. Conclusion: We have found that patients with CVD had a significantly higher prooxidant-antioxidant and SOD-3 levels. Further studies in larger multi-center setting are warranted to explore the value of emerging biomarker in CVD patients.