Investigation of Antioxidant Status in Children With Acute Otitis Media and Tonsillitis

Abstract

Objective: Antioxidant enzymes status was investigated in children with acute otitis media (AOM) and acute tonsillitis. The aim was to determine the effect of oxidative damage due to free radicals on the antioxidant enzymes status in children with AOM and acute tonsillitis. Methods: We measured erythrocyte levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and activity of serum catalase, ceruloplasmin, albumin and total bilirubin in 23 children with AOM, 27 with acute tonsillitis and 17 control subjects. Results: There was statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters. ALL antioxidant activities except for albumin Level were increased in the studies groups. When the values of AOM and acute tonsillitis were compared, there was statistically significant difference between the groups for erythrocyte GPx. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that not only a few antioxidant enzymes but almost all antioxidant activities showed a significant enhancement in children with AOM and acute tonsillitis. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.