[Antioxidative barrier activity assessment in gastro-esophageal reflux disease].

92 patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) confirmed by 24-hour pH-metry, upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, and X-ray barium scan were examined in this study. All patients were divided into 2 groups: first consisted of patients (51) with no signs of esophagitis and the second one (41) included individuals with gastro-oesophageal reflux complicated with inflammation. Inflammation of the mucosa was confirmed by pathological examination. In these patients superoxide dismuthase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activities were measured in serum and mucosal homogenates. Tests were performed before and 8 weeks after treatment. Control group consisted of patients scheduled for elective inguinal hernia repair procedure. Serum SOD activity in oesophagitis patients was 1173.7 U/gHb before the treatment, and 1401.7 U/gHb afterwards. These differences were statistically significant. Also differences in SOD serum activity in oesophagitis and non-oesophagitis patient groups were significant. Serum GP activity in oesophagitis patients was 11.17 U/gHb before and 25.12 U/gHb after treatment. The differences showed statistical significance. Measured activities did not reach the control values too. Serum SOD and GP activity was lower than those measured in tissue homogenates from corresponding patient groups. The significant role of antioxidative barrier in the development of GERD was emphasized in this study.