Prooxidant-antioxidant balance as a new risk factor in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease.

Objectives: Determination of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD+) by a modified PAB assay and presentation of PAB value as a novel cardiovascular risk factor.

Design And Methods: For 61 patients with CAD+ and 63 healthy volunteers, the PAB were measured and its correlation was determined with anthropological and clinical parameters.

Results: A significant increase of the PAB value was observed in patients in comparison to control group.

The administration of estrogens, combined with anti-androgens, has beneficial effects on the hormonal features and asymmetric dimethyl-arginine levels, in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The present study was designed in order to: (a) compare ET-1 and ADMA levels, between women with PCOS (n=106) and healthy controls (n=30); (b) determine the effects of treatment with estrogens and anti-androgens on the hormonal features of PCOS, insulin resistance, ET-1 and ADMA levels. Women with PCOS were randomized in five therapeutic protocols: (I) 17beta-estradiol+cyproterone acetate 50mg; (II) conjugated estrogen+CA 50 mg; (III) ethinyl estradiole+CA 2mg; (IV) EE+CA 52 mg; (V) EE+desogestrel. In all women, gonadotropin, PRL, androgen, SHBG, insulin, glucose, ET-1 and ADMA levels were determined; in women with PCOS, testosterone, SHBG, ET-1 and ADMA levels were measured again after 3, 6, 12 months of treatment and insulin and glucose levels after 12 months.

A novel assay for the evaluation of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance, before and after antioxidant vitamin administration in type II diabetes patients.

Objectives: The application of a novel assay for the direct measurement of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in type II diabetes and the evaluation of antioxidant therapy.

Design And Methods: The assay is based on 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and its cation, used as a redox indicator participating in two simultaneous reactions. PAB was determined in the sera of healthy volunteers and type II diabetes patients.