LIPID PEROXIDATION AND OXIDATIVE PROTEIN PRODUCTS IN CHILDREN WITH EPISODIC FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN / LIPIDNA PEROKSIDACIJA I OKSIDATIVNI PROTEINSKI PRODUKTI KOD DECE SA EPIZODINOM GROZNICOM NEPOZNATOG UZROKA

Abstract

Summary Background: Episodic fever syndromes are commonly seen in pediatric practice. Episodic fever of unknown origin (FUO) lasts for a few days or weeks and is followed by a fever-free period with a sense of well-being. In this condition, activated neutrophils and monocytes intensively generate reactive oxidative species that may further damage various mole- cules. The aim of the study was to evaluate oxidative stress biomarkers, lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes and plasma, and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in children with episodic FUO. Methods: The study enrolled 25 children with episodic FUO in afebrile phase and 25 healthy children as controls. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) production with the thiobarbituric-acid-reactive sub- stances (TBARS) assay in erythrocytes and plasma. Oxidative modification of proteins was measured spectrophotometri- cally by the determination of AOPP in plasma. Results: Mean duration of episodic fevers was 3.96±2.8 years. Erythrocyte MDA levels were higher in children with FUO than in controls (86.26± 10.75 vs. 78.0±3.21 nmol/g hemoglobin), although not significantly (p=0.202). The MDA plasma concentrations were similar (2.42±0.35 vs. 2.41 ±0.39 (xmol/L) between the groups (p=0.732). Unexpectedly, levels of AOPP were significantly lower in chil- dren with FUO than in healthy controls (18.8±5.04 vs. 25.1 ±3.35 nmol/L, p=0.047). Conclusions: Episodic fevers of unknown origin with an aver- age duration of 3.96±2.8 years do not cause significant oxidative modifications of lipids and proteins in children.