Dynamic Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

There is a growing body of evidence showing that there is an association between oxidative damage and kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis (DTDH) is an important antioxidant system. The aim of this study was to determine if DTDH could be used as a biomarker of antioxidant status in pediatric NS patients using a novel automated method.

METHODS

The study included 39 patients with NS and 40 healthy controls. The DTDH level was measured using a calorimetric and automated method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. In the NS group, DTDH was measured during first-attack episode, relapse, and remission.

RESULTS

The native thiol, total thiol, and disulphide levels were significantly lower, the native thiol/total thiol ratio was significantly lower, and the disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in the NS patients during relapse and first-attack episode than during remission and in the controls. In addition, the native thiol and total thiol levels, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio were significantly lower, and the disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in the NS group during remission than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings show that DTDH shifted toward disulphide formation in the NS patients, even during remission. A clearer understanding of the mechanism of this disruption to homeostasis in NS patients might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.