Antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde concentration in the plasma and erythrocytes of patients with urticaria induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that oxidative stress is a crucial event in some forms of urticaria. AIM To evaluate the blood oxidant/antioxidant profile of patients suffering from urticaria induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS We measured the activity of the antioxidant enzymes copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT), and the levels of malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation) in the plasma and erythrocytes of 12 females with NSAID-induced urticaria and in 19 healthy controls. RESULTS The enzyme activity in plasma (CuZn/SOD) and in erythrocytes (CuZn/SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) did not differ significantly between urticaria patients and controls. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde in plasma and erythrocytes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS It seems that processes associated with urticaria induced by NSAIDs may not modify antioxidant enzyme activity and may not enhance lipid peroxidation in peripheral blood.