Status of Blood Antioxidant Enzymes in Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Abstract : Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with increased
incidence of variety of illnesses including cirrhosis. Studies have shown
that ethanol consumption may result in increased oxidative stress with
increased formation of lipid peroxides and free radicals. However, very few
reports are available on their involvement in the toxicity of alcoholic
cirrhosis. The present study was undertaken in 44 male subjects to evaluate
the role of oxidative stress in liver injury with special reference to alcoholic
or non alcoholic cirrhosis. It was observed that the parameters of liver
function like total bilirubin, Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate
Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), γ Glutamyl transfarase
(γ GT) were increased in cirrhotic (alcoholic or non alcoholic) patients as
compared to normal controls. However antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and Glutathine peroxidase (GPx) lipid peroxidation marker,
Malondialdehyde (MDA) showed significant changes only in alcoholic
cirrhosis and not in non alcoholic cirrhosis when compared with normal
controls. The possibility of assessment of antioxidant enzymes to differentiate
between alcoholic or non alcoholic or non alcoholic cirrhosis is postulated.