Study of oxidative stress, homocysteine, copper & zinc in nephrotic syndrome: therapy with antioxidants, minerals and B-complex vitamins

Oxidative damage has been proposed as one of the possible mechanism involved in the nephrotic syndrome. Strengthening the defense system by antioxidants may provide protection against oxidative damage. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate oxidant and antioxidant status with copper, zinc and homocysteine in nephrotic syndrome patients and the effect of antioxidants, minerals and B-complex vitamins on oxidant and antioxidant status. The blood samples were analyzed for quantitation of malondialdehyde as index of lipid peroxide, vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity, copper, zinc, and homocysteine. Significantly increased levels of serum lipid peroxide, homocysteine and decreased levels of serum total antioxidant capacity, copper, zinc and plasma vitamin C were noticed in the patients with nephrotic syndrome as compared to control subjects. However, significant reduction in lipid peroxide, homocysteine and improvement in vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity, copper, and zinc activity were observed after treatment of antioxidants and minerals with Bcomplex vitamins.