Plasma superoxide dismutase activity and mortality in septic patients [corrected].

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, in comparison with other oxidative parameters, is associated with mortality in humans with septic.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study including 96 patients with septic. Blood samples were collected immediately after study inclusion and 24 hours after. We then determined plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, protein carbonyls, SOD, and catalase activities.

Results: Plasma carbonyls and SOD activity, but not plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive species and catalase activity, were significantly higher in non-survivors. SOD activity significantly correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score. In addition, SOD activity presented similar area under the receiver operator characteristic curve when compared with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II to predict mortality. A diminution of 25% or more on SOD activity between D1 and D2 was associated with a better outcome.

Conclusion: Our data provide some new information on the use of plasma SOD activity as a biomarker in human sepsis.