Total antioxidant capacity is significantly lower in cocaine-dependent and methamphetamine-dependent patients relative to normal controls: results from a preliminary study.

Background: Oxidative stress can result in damage to the brain and other organs. To protect from oxidative damage, the human body possesses molecular defense systems, based on the activity of antioxidants, and enzymatic defense systems, including the enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Although pre-clinical research has shown that stimulant use is associated with oxidative damage, oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense systems have not been evaluated in clinical samples of stimulant-dependent patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the link between stimulant dependence and oxidative stress.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 174 methamphetamine (n = 48) and/or cocaine-dependent (n = 126) participants as well as 30 normal control participants were analyzed for the enzyme activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px in the erythrocytes and the total antioxidant capacity and the malondialdehyde concentration in the plasma.

Results: We could show an association of stimulant dependence with a depletion of total antioxidant capacity to 54.6 ± 4.7%, which correlates with a reduced activity of the SOD to 71.3 ± 0.03% compared with healthy control participants (100%).

Conclusion: Stimulant-dependent patients had significantly lower antioxidant capacity relative to controls, suggesting that they may be at greater risk for oxidative damage to the brain and other organs.