Malondialdehyde levels in patients with duodenal ulcer.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a stable product of lipid peroxidation of membrane lipids. In view of its role in membrane lipid damage in various inflammatory disorders, MDA levels were estimated in 83 duodenal ulcer patients and 48 controls. MDA levels were found to be significantly higher in duodenal ulcer patients as compared to controls (mean +/- SD 280.2 +/- 109.0 versus 216.5 +/- 81.4 nm/dL, p < 0.001). These increased levels of MDA may represent either the result of peroxidative damage in the disease process or a pathogenetic factor enhancing the risk for duodenal ulcer.