Serum myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with acute brucellosis

Objectives: The role of infection in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been increasingly discussed. Previous studies have suggested that increased myeloperoxidase activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum myeloperoxidase activity and catalase activity along with lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels in patients with acute brucellosis. Design and methods: Thirty-two patients with brucellosis and 33 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum myeloperoxidase activity, catalase activity and LOOH levels were determined. Results: Serum myeloperoxidase activity and LOOH levels were significantly higher in patients with brucellosis than controls (p<0.05, p<0.001), while catalase activity were significantly lower (p<0.001). LOOH levels were found to be significantly positively correlated with MPO activity (r = 0.297, p = 0.016) in patients. Conclusions: These results indicate that increased myeloperoxidase activity and decreased catalase activity is associated with increased oxidative stress, which may have a role in atherosclerotic processes in brucellosis patients. (C) 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.