Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF HOMOCYSTEINE AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES LEVELS IN STROKE

Susan J. Ali*, Wasen N. Hussain, Sura Z. Hussein and Ayoub A. Bazzaz

Abstract

Free radicals could play an important role in brain ischemia and reperfusion injury while the generated reactive oxygen species via homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism might also be involved in the induction of lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. The objective of this study has been to investigate the behavior of Hcy, superoxide dismutase SOD, MDA and lipids in the plasma of stroke patients. Forty stroke patients from both genders (26 males and 14 females) were compared with another 40 healthy individuals (25 males and 15 females). Plasma total Homocysteine (tHcy), SOD, MDA and lipids [total Cholesterol (t-Ch)], Triglyceride (TG), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)] level were meaured. The levels of tHcy, SOD, MDA and lipid (except HDL) had significantly increased (p≤0.05-0.01) in the serum of stroked patients in comparison with control. These data support that free radical mechanism may play a role in development of stroke and support the consideration of plasma Hcy, SOD, MDA and lipids as a regular and routine screening markers to protect target organ from damage.

Keywords: Stroke, Homocysteine, SOD, MDA, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL, HDL, VLDL.