Do catalase and glutathione peroxidase protect blood platelets from lipid peroxidation in multiple sclerosis?

Purpose
Catalase (cat) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in blood platelets were determined in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods
The study was carried out in a group of 36 patients, men and women, aged 21-50 years old. They were divided into groups dependently on the degree of motor disability and duration of the disease. The control group included 15 healthy individuals of similar age to the study group. The activity of catalase was estimated according to the method by Beers and Sizer. Glutathione peroxidase activity was determined by the method of Sedlak and Lindsay, modified by Little and O’Brien. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in blood platelets was carried out using the method by Placer et al.

Results
We observed a lower level of TBARS concentration in platelets of MS patients than in control group with an enhanced activities of both antioxidative enzymes on the basis of disability degree and duration of the disease.

Conclusions
Catalase and glutathione peroxidase protect blood platelets from lipid peroxidation process in multiple sclerosis patients and may play a role in the course of the disease. It may also suggest involvement of lipid peroxidation in the activity of multiple sclerosis.