Interplay between the pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems (AOS) in relation to iron homeostasis (IH)

As there is strong evidence for inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) in anemia of chronic syndrome (ACS), the aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between oxidative imbalance and cellular immune response and to ask whether these processes are linked with IH. Blood was collected from 53 children with inflammations and/or recurrent infections with ACS, from 19 healthy, controls (C), in comparing to 20 children with IDA (iron deficient anemia). Erythrocyte catalase (CAT), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed spectrophotometrically with Synchron CX5 analyzer, Beckman. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration was measured by Cayman Chemical′s photometric test. Results: (mean ± SD): GSH-Px (U/gHb): ACS 39,55±16,55; IDA 41,09±11,90; C 59,66±11,78; SOD(U/gHb): ACS: 1046,41±153,03; IDA 1200,22±185,26; C1262,8±187,81; CAT (,U/g Hb): ACS 10,95±4,63; IDA 15,05±4,05; C 14,85±5,77. NO (μmol/L) ACS 123±41; IDA 70±49; C 49±12. We observed a significant decrease in the level of all three enzyme in the first, ACS group with significance p< 0,001 compared to the controls, as well as the activities of CAT and SOD in relation to IDA group, but there was no significant difference in in the level of GSH-Px between IDA and ACS groups. Conclusions: A strong association between antioxidant defense, OS, and IH was revealed and these findings show that ACS is associated with increased OS. We could indirectly conclude increased RBC liability to lipid peroxidation in ACS. Decreased AOS correlates with an increased cellular inflammatory response, whereas both concur with erythron and iron status.