Background: Oxidative damage by free radicals has been implicated in a number of clinical disorders including renal injury. An abnormality in the oxidative system in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) has been reported.
Objective: To assess the oxidant status (red cell MDA) and antioxidant status (red cell GSH, SOD' and plasma vitamin E, copper, zinc) in relation to hyperlipidemii in children with active nephrotic syndrome (NS) and during remission.
Methods: This study was conducted on 65 children with NS; 35 with active NS (Group 1) & 30 with NS during remission (Group 2) and 20 healthy controls. Red cell glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonfiialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as well as plasma levels of vitamin E, copper, zinc and plasma lipids (total cholesterol "ТС", triglycerides "TG", high density lipoprotein cholesterol "HDL-C" and low density lipoprotein cholesterol "LDL-C") were measured in children with NS and in controls.
Results: SOD concentrations significantly increased in both group I & group 2 when compared to the controls. MDA concentrations significantly increased in both group 1 & group 2 compared to the controls. GSH concentrations along with plasma vitamin E concentrations significantly decreased in both group I & group 2 compared to controls. A significant decrease in plasma copper and zinc concentrations was observed in group 1 compared to controls. However, a non-significant decrease in plasma copper and zinc concentra-tions was observed in group 2 compared to controls. Plasma TC, TG, LDL-C concentrations significantly increased while plasma HDL-C significantly decreased in both group 1 & group 2 compared to controls. Significant +ve correlation was found between MDA and each of TC, TG, LDL-C, while significant -ve correlation existed between MDA and HDL-C. Significant -ve correlations existed between each of albumin, SOD, vitamin E, zinc, copper and each of TC, TG, LDL-C. Meanwhile, significant +ve correlations existed between HDL-C and each of albumin, SOD, vitamin E, zinc and copper.
Conclusion: Increased pro-oxidant status with compensatory changes in antioxidant concentrations occur in children with NS. These changes are linked to lipid disorders in NS patients and may be related to the pathogenesis of NS.