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Plasma lipid peroxides and antioxidants in human septic shock

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Abstract

In order to assess if an oxidant/antioxidant imaalance is involved in human septic shock and its outcome, we measured plasma levels of the lipid peroxides malondialdehyde—as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance—conjugated dienes and fluorescent products, together with the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium in 12 patients with septic shock and compared them with values of normal controls. At first measurements, malondialdehyde (median 3.9 μmol/l; range 2–38.8) and fluorescent products (median 21.2%; range 9.4–134) were elevated (p<0.05), alpha-tocopherol (median 15 μmol/l; range 7–25) and selenium (median 0.76 μg/ml; range 0.49–1.09) were depressed (p<0.05). Conjugated dienes and glutathione peroxidase activity were in the normal range. In non-survivors (n=5) initial levels of malondialdehyde and fluorescent products (median 11 versus 3.1 μmol/l; 74 versus 135 respectively) were higher than in survivors (p<0.05) and initial selenium levels were lower (median 0.58 versus 0.92 μg/l;p<0.05). These results are consistent with the concept that an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance—as indicated by elevated plasma lipid peroxides and depressed antioxidants—is involved in human septic shock and a fatal outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Intensive Care Unit, Free University Hospital, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. C. Ogilvie M.D., A. B. J. Groeneveld & L. G. Thijs

  2. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Free University Hospital, The Netherlands

    J. P. Straub

Authors
  1. A. C. Ogilvie M.D.
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  2. A. B. J. Groeneveld
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  3. J. P. Straub
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  4. L. G. Thijs
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Ogilvie, A.C., Groeneveld, A.B.J., Straub, J.P. et al. Plasma lipid peroxides and antioxidants in human septic shock. Intensive Care Med 17, 40–44 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708408

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708408

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