Antioxidant Enzymes Status and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Level of down Syndrome Patient in West Bengal, India: a Case-control Study

Objective: The copper-zinc superoxide dismutase gene resides on chromosome 21 and is over expressed in Down syndrome patients. Reactive oxygen species can initiate lipid peroxidation and DNA damage leading to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and cell death, if the antioxidant system is impaired. Down syndrome is associated with various forms of thyroid dysfunction, hypothyroidism being the most common. The additive effects of both co-morbid conditions lead to further amplification of the clinical problems in the children with Down syndrome. So the objective of the current study is to evaluate the activity of some antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and level of thyroid stimulating hormone among Down syndrome cases and then compare with healthy control group. Methods: The present work aimed to study the changes in the quantitative in vitro activities of the antioxidant enzymes – glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the erythrocyte and thyroid stimulating hormone level of the study group. This study group included both Down syndrome patients and age, sex matched healthy controls. Results: It was found that significant increase in the activities of both glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and thyroid stimulating hormone level in patients as compared with healthy controls. This study has revealed that increased antioxidant enzymes activity and thyroid stimulating hormone level are the three significant indicators of Down syndrome patients. Conclusion: Study of biochemical parameter reveals that Thyroid stimulating hormone level, Glutathione peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase activity is increased among DS cases.