Free radical toxicity and antioxidants in Guillain-Barre syndrome, a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a vast array of disease processes including some neurological disorders.

METHOD: Ten patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and 10 age and sex-matched controls were included in this study. The erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as plasma antioxidant vitamins C and E and serum glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels were estimated spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS

The plasma vitamin E and the serum total glutathione-S-transferase levels were markedly increased in both pre- and post-treated cases of GBS when compared to controls. The erythrocyte glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in GBS cases when compared to normals. However, plasma vitamin C and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase were not altered when compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

Free radical toxicity may have an influence in patients suffering from GBS.