Serum MDA, Antioxidant Vitamins and Erythrocytic Antioxidant Enzymes in Chronic Alcoholic Liver Disease – A Case Control Study

Objectives: The study aims to estimate the changes in the serum levels of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), non-enzymatic antioxidants: vitamin A, E and C and erythrocyte enzymatic antioxidants: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase(CAT) in chronic alcoholic liver disease. Background: Alcohol consumption accounts for about 50% of patients death from end stage liver disease in India. The increased free radical and their metabolites decrease the plasma antioxidants status in chronic alcoholic liver disease (CALD). Method: The study comprised of 100 healthy persons as controls and 100 diagnosed patients of chronic alcoholic liver disease as cases. The estimation of serum MDA, vitamin A, E, C and erythrocyte enzymatic antioxidants SOD and CAT, were carried out along with liver function parameters like serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), serum total protein, serum albumin, prothrombin time (PT) and serum bilirubin. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired “t” test. Result: The levels of serum MDA were significantly increased in patients with CALD (P<0.01) while antioxidants were significantly reduced as compared to controls (P<0.01). Conclusion: Increased levels of lipid peroxides and reduced antioxidants suggest that, oxidative stress plays a vital role in pathogenesis of chronic alcoholic liver disease.